About us

Fiona Hamilton

Fiona has almost 20 years’ experience in research, programme management and leadership across a range of sectors including the Waitangi Tribunal claim process, mental health workforce development and Housing First.

Fiona spent two years as programme lead at Housing First Auckland before becoming LinkPeople’s chief executive in October 2019. Fiona led and fronted the first Auckland-wide Point-in-Time count, Ira Mata, Ira Tangata, and led the development of the governing group for the Auckland collective working with mana whenua, local government and Ministries and departments such as Housing, Social Development, Health and Justice.

Ngaio Gillies

Ko Kahuranaki, ko Putauaki ōku maunga

Ko Ngaruroro, ko Whakatane ōku awa

Ko Ngati Kurukuru, ko Ngati Pūkeko, ko Ngati Hokopū oku hapū

Ko Ngati Kahungunu, ko Ngati Awa ōku iwi

Ko Takitimu, Ko Mataatua ōku waka

Ko Ngaio Gillies tōku ingoa

Tena koutou katoa.

Ngaio holds degree and post graduate qualifications in Education and is currently completing her Masters in Indigenous Studies. After moving to Kirikiriroa, she shifted her focus to social services and has been working in this field for over 20 years, initially as a social work trainer for Child, Youth and Family Services and then as the General Manager of large social service agency. Ngaio is excited to be a part of  LinkPeople at this time.

Annabelle Jerram

Annabelle has been with LinkPeople since 2014 in several different leadership roles. She brings to LinkPeople a wide range of experience in both the public and private sectors, including policy work with central government, and regulatory and leadership roles across the pharmaceutical and medical communications industries. Annabelle holds a Master of Science in psychology and pharmacology, and postgraduate qualifications in coaching psychology.

Her role is to ensure we recruit, develop and retain an engaged workforce that is able to deliver services safely and effectively to meet the needs of the people we support.

Tom Caukwell

Tom Caukwell has a background in mental health – with six years working in the mental health sector – and has worked for LinkPeople since 2013. He has led the Housing First service delivery in South Auckland since 2017. Tom is studying towards a conjoint Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Business at Massey University, majoring in social policy and management. With a passion for people and influencing positive systems change, Tom was appointed as the regional manager for LinkPeople Auckland in January 2020.

Michelle Tiriana-Bishop

Ko Pureora te Maunga, Ko Waikato te Awa, Ko Tainui te Waka, Ko Rereahu te Iwi

Michelle Tiriana-Bishop joined LinkPeople in July 2017 to lead the housing team in Rotorua. With the rapid growth of service provision, in January 2020 she was appointed regional manager, with oversight of the tenancy, housing and health teams in the Taupō, Rotorua and Tauranga areas.

Michelle has almost 20 years’ experience working in the social housing sector, including 16 years with Housing New Zealand. She has held various tenancy related roles and spent four years in a community development position working with vulnerable communities. Michelle has strong community and agency connections and prides herself on leading a team who share her genuine passion for peopleand always having them at the centre of everything they do.

Jim Gallen

Jim came to LinkPeople in early 2017 from the social housing, strategic purchasing team at the Ministry of Social Development. Prior to this, Jim was the national operations manager for tenancy services within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment managing the dispute resolution services across the country along with tenancy advice and education. He has previously worked in leadership and management roles in Pathways, Inland Revenue and mental health services.

Jim is based in Wellington, overseeing Taranaki, Whanganui, Wellington and Christchurch.

Stephen Hunt

Stephen Hunt joined LinkPeople in July 2021, bringing with him an extensive range of experience from the local government and the charity sectors. This experience includes leading local government teams responsible for strategy, policy, asset management, procurement, project management and governance. He also spent three years as the New Zealand CEO of an international charity.

Stephen has an LLB (Hons) and a B Soc Sc from The University of Waikato, as well as a Grad Dip Bus (Admin) from The University of Auckland.

Vandna Stringer

Since beginning her career in the mental health and disability sector in Scotland over 15 years ago, Van has worked as an occupational therapist across a range of mental health, physical health and integrated care settings. Van holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in psychology and a Master of Science in occupational therapy. 

Working for the Waikato DHB’s Mental Health and Addictions Service, Van has held a variety of roles including community occupational therapist, clinical lead and project manager. Van is passionate about empowering and enabling others to reach their potential and has a keen interest in service development. Van joined LinkPeople in 2019 as clinical lead, was the team leader for Ahikāroa since its inception, and was appointed as the regional manager at the end of 2020.