Who We Are

At Hawke’s Bay Restorative Justice, we provide restorative justice services across the Hawke’s Bay and Tairawhiti region, working with victims, offenders, their whānau, and the wider community to support healing and resolution following an offence.

We’re a community-based, not-for-profit organisation approved by the Ministry of Justice, committed to providing a safe and supported space for meaningful dialogue. Our work centres on restoring mana, building understanding, and allowing those affected by crime to be heard and acknowledged.

We are proud to serve communities across Central Hawke’s Bay, Hastings, Napier, Wairoa, Gisborne and Ruatoria.

Our Purpose

At Hawke’s Bay Restorative Justice, we provide restorative justice services across the region, working with victims, offenders, their whānau, and the wider community to support healing and resolution following an offence.

We’re a community-based, not-for-profit organisation approved by the Ministry of Justice, committed to providing a safe and supported space for meaningful dialogue. Our work centres on restoring mana, building understanding, and allowing those affected by crime to be heard and acknowledged.

Working in Partnership

We work closely with the Ministry of Justice, local courts, police, iwi and community organisations to ensure restorative justice is available to all who can benefit from it. Our team is passionate about helping people reconnect, repair harm, and move forward with greater hope and understanding.

Our Team

Hawkes-Bay-Restorative-Justice-Team-member

Lisa Nepia
Accredited Family Violence Facilitator

I have worked in the Restorative Justice sector since 2004 where my RJ journey began in Whanganui. In 2017 I relocated to Hawke’s Bay, where I now lead a dedicated team of facilitators across Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti. I am an accredited family harm facilitator and am passionate about supporting meaningful restorative processes within our communities.

I believe restorative justice is founded on accountability, relationships, and respect. Our role is to provide a safe, supportive, and respectful environment where victims, offenders and support people can engage in often challenging conversations, address the harm that has occurred and access the support needed to move towards healing and positive change.

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Erin Photo 2025

Erin Barker
Accredited Family Violence Facilitator

Kia ora, I’m Erin Barker. I whakapapa to Ngati Rangitihi.
I moved to Hawke’s Bay from the Bay of Plenty in 2001 for my 4 children’s schooling. This is a place I have grown to love and a community I am grateful to be part of.

I have been at Hawke’s Bay Restorative Justice since 2014, initially in an administrative role which has grown over time to Manager. I am an accredited RJ Facilitator with an Endorsement for Family Violence.

We have a great RJ whanau, committed to our community, to upholding mana, understanding, healing and resilience. I feel privileged to be a part of that.

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Lydia
Facilitator & Administration Assistant
Court Co-ordinator Waipukurau

Hawkes-Bay-Restorative-Justice-Team-Lei-Lewis

Lei Lewis
Facilitator

I am a Samoan mother of 6 awesome children and the wife of an amazing South African husband living in Hawkes Bay for nearly 18yrs. I was Administration Assistant for 2 years and love seeing all the hard work our facilitators do to make each case as successful as possible. I am now a facilitator and working towards my accreditation. I particularly enjoy cases to do with my Samoan people as well as the youth/young adults.

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Hawkes-Bay-Restorative-Justice-Team-Te-Kaahurangi-Maioha

Te Kaahurangi Maioha
Facilitator

He uri ahau no Te Whare Tapu o Ngapuhi, no nga piko o Waikato hoki. I was born here amongst the hearty people and land of Kahungunu. As a restorative justice facilitator in Hawkes Bay, I meet people from many different backgrounds affected by, or the perpetrators of, crime.

At its best I see facilitating restorative justice hui as an honor and an opportunity to hold space for people who choose this process, to voice their concerns through conversation and heal from what can be huge disruptions and hurts in their lives.

When a person who has caused harm reflects on what they’ve done and begins to make positive changes in their life through a discussion with the person or people subject to their offence, it generates hope. Seeing this unfold by observing the journey of people courageously sitting face to face and talking with each other inspires belief in a healthier, happier community.

Accredited Facilitator

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Barry Van Heerden
Facilitator and Court Co-ordinator Napier, Hastings

Tracey Wheeler
Facilitator

It is a privilege to work alongside people impacted by crime, supporting them to make sense of what has happened and consider ways to enhance their own, and each other’s, mana. I bring empathic listening, compassionate enquiry, professionalism and humanity to this work as I facilitate safe spaces for courageous conversations to take place. In addition to working part-time as a Restorative Justice facilitator, I am mother to three, work as a wellbeing specialist in schools and studying towards a master’s degree in counselling.

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Desiree Winitana
Facilitator & Court Co-ordinator Wairoa

Kia ora Koutou, my name is Desiree Winitana and my husband's name is Waipatu Winitana. We have 8 children and 11 grandchildren. My iwi is Ngati Porou and Tuhoe and we live in Wairoa. I have recently finished a law degree with Waikato University and spent 3 years doing victim support. I also have pastored for the last 13 years, and every now and again will throw on a security shirt if my husband needs a worker.

I completed my restorative justice facilitator training in 2024 and facilitating in the Wairoa and Gisborne communities.

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Pauline Hayes
Facilitator & Court Co-ordinator, Gisborne Courts

I have been the Gisborne Court Co-ordinator for 2 years and recently did Facilitator training. I see the benefits of the Restorative Justice process and it's good to be supporting my community in this way.

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Hawkes-Bay-restorative-justice-Genene-Cannell

Genene Cannell
Court Co-ordinator, Ruatoria

I live in Ruatoria with two superstars as children 11 & 13yr old boys, 4 dogs and 4 cats.

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Harriet

Harriet Lefau
Facilitator

I am of Samoan descent, born and raised in Auckland living in Hawkes Bay with my family. I've been working as an restorative justice facilitator for the past four months while working towards my accreditation and completing my psychology degree. I have a heart for serving the community and believe restorative justice plays a vital role in creating positive outcomes. Being a part of this process is both humbling and rewarding.

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If you are interested in joining our team, contact us:

Email Erin: office@hbrj.org.nz

Our board

Myles Girvan, Andy White, Val Harris, Alistar Young, Ray Pearson
Tee Whiting