5 April 2005

New Arts Department For Manukau City Council

Manukau City Council is pleased to announce the formation of a new Arts unit. The unit comprises Leisa Siteine, Arts Manager; Gulshan Lawyer, Marketing Coordinator; and Sarah Fohetaha, Business Support Adminstrator, along with the managers of the three Arts Centres - Itania Nikolao, Chantelle Whaiapu and Greg Whaiapu

Manukau City Council Arts Centres include Mangere Arts Centre managed by Chantelle Whaiapu and Nathan Homestead managed by Itania Nikolao. Greg Whaiapu is poised to commence as manager for Otara Music Arts Centre.

Arts Manager Leisa Siteine is very excited about her new team, “I have long advocated for a more comprehensive approach to running our arts centres and promoting arts in our city. Our team will work to raise the profile of arts in Manukau even more by promoting the rich cultural diversity of arts available in Manukau, and providing a platform for established and upcoming artists in many and varied fields.

“A well planned series of exhibitions, events, concerts and workshops will ensure a rich cultural experience for Manukau residents while showcasing and promoting the spectrum of talented musicians and artists.”

For further information about arts in Manukau see the periodical brochure ‘Arts in the City’, phone your local arts centre, or visit Council’s website: www.manukau.govt.nz

Bio of new Arts Department Staff

Gulshan and Sarah are newly appointed employees whilst Leisa is a long serving Leisure Services employee having worked at Council for 12 years. Leisa worked firstly as an aerobics instructor, then moved onto a Centre Supervisor role, followed by Co-Ordinator at Nathan Homestead, then Arts Programmes and Events Co-Ordinator - and last December she was appointed Arts Manager.

Gulshan Lawyer comes with a background in media, marketing and communications. She has worked on numerous marketing and communications projects for a wide range of industries overseas, including Creative Manager for Hallmark Cards -India; PR & Marketing Manager for Destiny Advertising – Dubai; and Marketing Coordinator for a manufacturing company in New Zealand. This will provide her with the relevant background to manage the marketing perspective of this portfolio.

Sarah Fohetaha, who has been in Council for 2 years, first started as a cadet in March 2003 working at the Nathan Homestead, followed by the Otara Music Arts Centre. Council’s youth employment programme was launched in 2002 to get unemployed young people started in the workforce. Sarah obviously had the skills and work ethic to qualify her for a permanent position. Today she is the Business Support Admistrator for the Arts Unit and looking forward to the challenges of a new job.

ENDS

© Scoop Media