Employment | Education | Training
About Us
TeAM provides employment support to people with lived experience of mental illness and/or addiction who are receiving ongoing care and treatment from a health professional.
Our team is made up of skilled employment specialists who work across the top of the South Island. We work
one-on-one with people to identify their employment goals and develop a plan to reach those goals.
TeAM is the only IPS service provider in the South Island.
We work across Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough and the West Coast.
Learn more about IPS
Our TeAM
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Nelson Office
IPS Supervisor
IPS Employment Specialist
Lydia Walterfang
lydia.walterfang@tearamahi.co.nz
027 227 9352
Lydia thrives on strong coffee, fast trails, and the rhythm of waka ama. Her passion for fitness fuels a focused, energetic approach to life, with whānau always at the heart.
As IPS Supervisor at Te Ara Mahi, she brings clarity, dedication, and steady leadership—supporting employment specialists, ensuring IPS compliance, and aligning stakeholders. Calm in the chaos, she’s the one who keeps the team’s wheels turning.
You’ll find Lydia wherever there’s momentum—on the water, the mountain, or guiding the way with purpose and compassion.
Laura holds a Health & Human Services Certificate and Social Services Diploma, from her studies in Canada, as well as a NZ Diploma in Career Development from NMIT.
She's been a part of the Nelson community since 2012, has a wide array of work experiences and uses an empathetic, warm and genuine approach to building relationships with people. She enjoys using sense of humour to help put people at ease, and has a passion for empowering them to discover their strengths and achieve their goals.
Laura enjoys traveling, reading, yoga, arts & crafts, swimming and being out in nature.
Tasman Office
TeAM Leader, Nelson/Tasman
IPS Employment Specialist
Joanne Robertson
joanne.robertson@tearamahi.co.nz
027 214 4312
Joanne has a wealth of knowledge and experience in People and Capability (HR), including recruitment. She also has experience working and volunteering in conservation projects.
Joanne is passionate about supporting and motivating people to achieve their goals and brings a creative and positive approach to everything that she does.
Joanne loves the great outdoors and spends her spare time hiking, kayaking and camping.
Jo brings 25 years of experience in the health sector, coordinating and supporting individuals and families on their health and well-being journeys.
She enjoys being out and about, learning, and building connections within the community. In her spare time, Jo embraces nature and volunteers as a Kiwi Conservation Coordinator for the Kiwi Conservation Club, inspiring children and families to deepen their knowledge of our whenua and to help preserve it for future generations.
Jo lives by the philosophy: “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got. Step outside your comfort zone—yes, it can be scary, but you might be pleasantly surprised by the ride.”
Team Leader, Marlborough
IPS Employment Specialist
Isha Hothi
027 432 4235
Isha holds a degree in Computer Science and has been a proud member of the Marlborough community since 2013.
With a diverse background spanning various industries, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team, dedicated to supporting individuals in finding meaningful employment. Isha is passionate about guiding people on their career journeys, understanding their aspirations, and helping them achieve their goals.
Outside of work, she loves cooking, traveling, and spending quality time with her family. Isha deeply appreciates the beauty and warmth of the Marlborough region and is committed to contributing to its vibrant community.
Karen is passionate about helping people succeed, and loves being part of their journey toward reaching their goals. She started out as a teacher, which gave her a solid foundation in supporting, guiding and encouraging people to reach their potential.
Later, Karen moved into disability support, where she's continued to help people overcome challenges, build confidence, and achieve things they might not have thought possible. Karen also has experience supporting people into employment, helping them find meaningful work and feel confident in their roles.
Throughout her career, Karen's focus has always been on providing practical support, guidance, and encouragement so people can grow, achieve, and feel confident in both their personal and professional lives. She really enjoys celebrating successes with people, no matter how big or small, and being part of the positive changes in their lives.
West Coast Office
Team Leader, West Coast
IPS Employment Specialist
Mamta Rimal
027 558 8010
Mamta has experience in HR Management since 2017, bringing deep expertise in the recruitment sector, having worked across a diverse range of organizations—from small SMEs to large multinational companies.
Currently serving as an IPS Employment Specialist, Mamta is passionate about helping clients find meaningful, fulfilling careers.
Her work is rooted in empathy, relationship-building, and a strong connection to the community in which she lives.
Rita has enjoyed a varied range of occupations, which feeds her creative mind and satisfies her need as a Lifetime Learner.
Being a Qualified Career Guidance Counsellor and previous Commercial Business Owner, she understands what employers are looking for which enables her to help those seeking work to find the right fit for them.
When not at work Rita enjoys creating in her Studio and nurturing her veggie garden with her husband.
Management
Pete has worked in mental health for over 30 years and co-founded Te Ara Mahi in 2005.
Pete has had a diverse professional life.
His qualifications are mostly science-based and he has a Diploma in Supported Employment.
Pete now lives in Dunedin, working remotely to manage the business functions of the organisation.
Beth has worked in museums since 2011, but originally graduated as an archaeologist.
During her time caring for museum collections and archives, she has developed skills managing data and databases, writing processes and procedures, understanding health and safety, and organisation and file management.
Living in Dunedin, she enjoys getting into the outdoors, gardening, and exploring Ōtepoti with her family.