The Team
Tui Edwards
PGDip PH, MPH (1st Class Hons)
Service Manager (Qualified Financial Mentor)
Iwi: Whakatohea, Ngai Tai, Ngati Awa
I commenced with the Financial Mentoring Service (Formerly Budget Advisory Service) in June 2018. Over the past 30 years I have worked for Government, Non Government organisations and Iwi providers in many different roles.
I have been fortunate to have been involved in some awesome community projects in the past, locally, regionally and nationally. In my role as the Service Manager I have been able to utilise my skills to help the service move forward, to connect and enhance service delivery to the Whakatane community.
It’s been an awesome journey so far and I am proud of the wonderful team we have here at Financial Mentoring Service as we all strive to provide this much needed Financial Mentoring service to the Whakatane community.
Piri McConnell
Coordinator & Qualified Financial Mentor
Total Money Management
Certified Bookkeeper
Phone: (07) 307 1390
I began my journey with Financial Mentoring Service in July 2020, and I love it. My background has been in Financial Planning and Bookkeeping with preparation of Financial Statements, tax returns, accounts payable and receivable, GST, PAYE and so on – my working life has been filled with sums and figures.
My role as Coordinator and Financial Mentor leaves me feeling fulfilled. I really enjoy meeting and empowering people to achieve their goals. I’ve never worked in a Community Service before, and It has opened my eyes to what a wonderful place we live in, surrounded by other Services with so much to give.
I enjoy keeping fit and like to encourage others to do the same! See you in the sunshine.
Adrian Collins
Financial Mentor
Phone: (07) 307 1390
Pane van Kampen
Financial Mentor (Qualified Financial Mentor/Total Money Management)
Phone: (07) 307 1390
I joined the team in mid-2021 and completed my Financial Mentor training later that year. I came from an operational management background and had plenty of experience of managing budgets and problem solving. My wife and I also run a successful small business based in the Whakatāne area which allows him the time to give one or two days a week volunteering at Financial Mentoring Service Whakatāne. I enjoy helping people to realise their financial goals by working with them to show what they can do for themselves and give them the skills to build their own financial independence.
Theo Duyvestyn
Volunteer Qualified Financial Mentor
Phone: (07) 307 1390
I was born and bred in Tokoroa and 3 years ago, after selling a business I owned and operated, my family and I moved to this great area permanently. I spent my years in Tokoroa operating a Drainage business, and also on various committees and boards, as well as being a father to 3 children. I miss my old town but love it in the Bay of Plenty!!
After completing the FinCap FMIC (Financial Mentoring online training), I began volunteering with the Financial Mentoring Service in May 2020.
I work Mondays and Wednesdays, I really enjoy helping clients and seeing the positive changes they make. Find this really rewarding.
Iwi: Whakatohea, Ngaitai, Ngati Awa
My iwi is Ngaitai (Torere) where I was raised by my maternal grandparents.
My work experience has primarily been in Office Administration, in the health sector while raising a family. I have held executive roles on various trusts and community organisations and currently still hold a couple of these. Accountability is key by ensuring checks and balances are managed.
Providing moral support, tools and strategies for clients to achieve their goals is what I enjoy doing.
Mary Hermanson
PGDMS(Waikato) NCB
Qualified Financial Mentor
I have been working as a financial mentor since 2017 and am enjoying being part of the friendly team at the Financial Mentoring Service. I find community development work really rewarding having previously spent three and a half years with the Kawerau Healthy Homes project. I have also been involved for a number of years with business mentoring, Enterprise Training and the BIZ service. The information provided to clients by the budget service is excellent and so useful to people wanting to improve their circumstances.
