Our staff and volunteers
Our volunteer member review member panel are a group of ActionStation members who read and review every campaign submitted to OurActionStation - our community petition platform. They are the kaitiaki (or guardians) of our mission and ensure petitions on our site are aligned with our values.
There are currently 14 member review panel members.
We also have a team of volunteer proofreaders who proof our content on an adhoc basis.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please get in touch with [email protected]
Our staff
ActionStation exists to create change, not just add to the noise. Our staff team’s job is to direct our community members’ precious time energy for maximum impact, whatever we’re doing.
Our team don’t claim to be experts on every issue. What we do know is how to get the advice and expertise we need to create change, and how to bring large numbers of like-minded people together to make it happen.
Our team also do a lot with a little. We’re able to achieve much more than would normally be possible for a small team by:
- Being lean and efficient in our work systems;
- Having the support of devoted volunteers;
- Collaborating effectively on almost all of our 100+ campaigns to date;
- Drawing on the resources of our whole community.
Our team is made up of many amazing humans, but only some of us are full-time! We are:
Campaigners
Kassie Hartendorp
Kassie Hartendorp (Ngāti Raukawa) is our Director. She was previously a Community Organiser focusing on supporting and organising ActionStation members and others to create the social and political conditions that enhance tino rangatiratanga and ensure Māori flourishing. Her background is in youth work, takatāpui / rainbow communities, and the trade union movement.
Ella Grace M.Newton
Ella Grace M.Newton (Pākehā) is our campaigns manager. Grace is a political organiser who has worked across movements, with roots in community organising for public housing and the trade union movement. She grew up in Palmy, and currently lives in Whangārei.
Ruby Powell
Ruby is our Lead Community Organiser, with a focus on supporting and connecting OurActionStation Community Campaigners. With over a decade of experience working on and leading campaigns, including three years leading our economic fairness mahi, she's excited to share what she's learnt with other campaigners. Ruby is passionate about the power of collaboration, and the vision of constitutional transformation by 2040 in alignment with Matike Mai and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Max Harris
Max (who's Pākehā) is a Campaigner with ActionStation, with a particular focus on welfare and economic fairness. Max has worked as a political advisor, in law, and in research. Max is committed to building connections between people-powered movements around radical demands, and is inspired by positive visions of transforming our economic and political systems - including Matike Mai Aotearoa.
Vera Seyra Kruger-Tagboto
Vera Seyra (K-T) is our OurActionStation Community Organiser. Her work focuses on supporting and connecting our community campaigners on our online platform. She is passionate about social equity and empowering communities to make the changes they need.
Vanessa Cole
Vanessa Cole (Pākeha) is a Campaigner with ActionStation, with a particular focus on whānau wellbeing and housing. Vanessa has a background in welfare and state housing advocacy, action, research and community organising. She is committed to working with others to dream together and build power to transform systems. She grew up in Te Atatū North, and currently lives in New Lynn, West Auckland.
Operations
Nikky Winchester
Nikky is our Operations Manager, with over two decades of experience in the not for profit sector. Before becoming a Kiwi citizen she worked as an HR manager for an international relief and development charity in London; more recently she has provided executive administration support for health-focused organisations in New Zealand. Nikky has a lifelong interest in environmental issues and is passionate about using her skills to empower activists to make the world a better place for all.
Ann Cloet
Ann Cloet is our Team Support/Volunteer Coordinator. A native Belgian,turned Aotearoan, she started at ActionStation as a volunteer in early 2016. Ann is inspired by the opportunities ActionStation provides for ordinary citizens to be involved in positive societal change. She briefly stepped in as interim office manager before starting her work with volunteers. In 2017/18 Ann coordinated the pioneering Tauiwi Tautoko program. Her focus today is on supporting the team in any way she can to run successful campaigns.
Ali Powell
Ali is our Operations Co-ordinator, dealing with the day-to-day finances. Originally from the UK, where she worked in homeless prevention, she is excited to be part of a movement where the voices of everyday people become one strong cohesive voice for positive change.
Tech Team
Joe Salmon
Joe Salmon (Pākehā) is ActionStation's senior developer – responsible for maintaining and developing ActionStation's tech and supporting the team to create powerful and innovative campaigns. Joe brings over 15 years experience as a web developer and graphic designer working mainly in the arts and cultural sectors, as well as for local government. He's excited by the capacity for digital technology to enable folks to participate in meaningful social change. Originally from Ahuriri/Napier, Joe is currently based in Whanganui where lives on Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi whenua.
