Our Team
Fr. Mark Walls SM
SUPERIOR DIRECTOR
BA (English Literature, New Zealand History); ATCL (Speech)
Fr. Mark has been involved in education since he was five years of age, as a student, a teacher, an administrator, a chaplain, a mentor, and a coach of various sports. He has been a Marist for over forty years and a priest for forty-three years. He is passionate about helping to convert the kingdom of niceness into the Kingdom of God.
E: fr.mark.walls@gmail.com
P: +64 21 366 071
aNGE cURTIS
YOUNG MARISTS DIRECTOR
BA (Politics and Sociology)
Ange departed Marist College in the olden days, also known as 2013, and pursued studies in Sociology, Politics, and Criminology. Since 2015, Ange had been an integral part of our team in various capacities before deciding to try her hand at business. IInspired by her passion for scripture, Ange then performed her best impression of the Prodigal Son, returning to us and now working in a full-time role with the Young Marists, which she loves. When not out-and-about passionately promoting the Young Marist kaupapa, Ange can be found fine-tuning her NRL Fantasy team or gaining valuable perspective from her favourite show, Grey’s Anatomy.
E: youngmarists@gmail.com
Rachel Farrington
HOBEN PROJECT DIRECTOR
BA (Psychology)
After attending Marist Youth Leader as a student at St John’s College, Woodlawn, Australia, Rachel started her journey with the Young Marists and never looked back. Since moving to Aotearoa in 2017, Rachel has worked with both the Young Marists and Emerge Aotearoa, an organisation that provides mental health and social services. Rachel is fiercely passionate about leadership, social justice, and helping young people navigate the challenges of life. Outside of the Young Marists, Rachel is furthering her study in Psychology, playing tennis, and attempting to perfect the art of sourdough.
E: youngmarists@gmail.com
Matt Newman
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT LEADER
BA (Political Science & English); ATCL (Voice)
Matt has been full time with the Young Marists for 6 years after becoming involved as a student at Cullinane College, Whanganui. After a stint of living in our Young Neighbours partner communities, Matt has continued studying Te Reo Māori through Te Tohu Paetahi, Waikato University, in Tauranga. Matt is incredibly passionate about helping young people realise their potential to make huge impacts in their communities. In his spare time he can be found battling in the waves of Papamoa Beach or researching for his bitcoin side-projects.
E: matt@youngmarists.org
Seamus lohrey
PROGRAMMES AND SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Studying towards LLB (with a second major in Public Relations)
Seamus has been involved with the Young Marists for five years now, beginning with his experience on the Hokianga exchange (where Fr Mark actually titled him as 'trouble’). Following his time at St Bede’s College in Christchurch, Seamus moved to the Mighty Tron to study a Bachelor of Laws, majoring in Law and Public Relations at the University of Waikato. Currently on a short, one-year hiatus from his degree, Seamus is shaping our media landscape and communication strategy. He provides epic creative direction, meaningful insight and a crucial Gen Z perspective to the sharing and growth of our mahi. When Seamus isn't posting reels, or standing in front or behind of a camera, you’ll find him practicing his Maradona turn or cheering on the Crusaders.
E: youngmarists@gmail.com
Olivia dykes
PROGRAMMES AND MARKETING COORDINATOR
BCom (Marketing and Commercial Law)
Liv finished up at Marist College in 2020 and moved to Wellington (which you cannot beat on a good day) to get a Bachelor of Commerce. After graduating and briefly navigating the corporate world, Liv realized she yearned for work that contributed to more than just a company's bottom line. Drawing upon her expertise and experience, she is now dedicated to shaping our communication strategies to expand our impact. If you want to find Liv when she’s not with us, you can listen out for an impeccable Dolphin impression or a self-care podcast playing.
E: youngmarists@gmail.com
Bri Grace
PROGRAMMES AND SOCIAL MEDIA INTERN
Studying towards BA (Te Reo Māori, Health and Physical Education)
Bri finished at Roncalli College in 2022 and moved from the big smoke of Timaru to Christchurch to pursue a degree in Te Reo Māori, Health and Physical Education. Whilst studying full time, Bri will be working with our team part time, leading our YMN and in-school programmes. Bri is incredibly passionate about Catholic leadership and social justice. When she isn’t studying or working with us, you can catch Bri shooting 3-pointers during her basketball season or baking up a storm.
E: youngmarists@gmail.com
MARIST YOUTH LEADER TEAM
The Young Marists also rely on the support of a wider network of volunteer leaders who are graduates of the Marist Youth Leader programme and of schools in the Marist network. The Marist Youth Leader team consists of the Young Marists employees, as well as seven volunteer leaders currently studying at university. These team members are crucial to the MYL programme, and to the Young Marists more broadly as they bring a diverse wealth of knowledge, skillsets and experiences that enhance the experience for the students on the programme. The current team:
(L-R: Seamus Lohrey, Angela Curtis, Ben O’Donovan, Christie Wallace, Olivia Dykes, Fr. Mark Walls S.M., Gerry Fennessy (Team Supervisor), Ini Falope, Bri Grace, Rachel Farrington, Seyjay Harawira, and Anton Juan)