Team

Our amazing team

Krista Dixon, Executive Director
Megan Leigh, General Manager
Junior Tuiti, Clinical Manager
Jared Dixon, Programme Lead
Larah Morrison, Office Manager
Rachel Blakely, Youth Clinician
Sione Vaka, Youth Navigator
Aimee Halstead, Youth Clinician

Krista Dixon, Executive Director

Krista is the founder of Live for More, but on a day-to-day basis she is now a mum as well as the Executive Director part-time. She is passionate about seeing Live for More thrive and grow as an organisation. Krista was previously the Youth Clinician at Live for More for six years and thoroughly enjoyed doing the 1-1 clinical work with the young men, supporting them to become the best versions of themselves. Krista has been surfing since she was 14 years old and is a passionate surfer. She loves and believes in the power of surf therapy as she has seen so many lives transformed and saved over the years. She also sees the benefits of rangatahi building healthy relationships and rapport outside of the four walls of an office. She is passionate about seeing people find freedom in life. Krista has a degree in Psychology from UCSB and a post-graduate certificate in Drug and Alcohol Studies from the Auckland University. She has been a registered DAPAANZ Drug and Alcohol Clinician since 2010. Krista has previously worked at a residential youth rehab, as well as a drug and alcohol counsellor. She is a founding member of Surf Therapy Aotearoa, which was established in 2021. Krista lives in Arataki with her husband Jared and their daughter Praise.

Megan Leigh, General Manager

Megan joined the Live for More team after spending over six years as a leader in the retail sector. In the past few years, Megan has developed a huge passion for advocating the importance of mental health and wellbeing. This passion saw her spearhead several wellbeing projects in her previous retail-based roles and has ultimately drawn her away from retail and into to working at Live for More. She is a very detail-oriented person and is fuelled by a passion to see continuous improvement in herself and those around her.

When she’s not at work, Megan can be found spending time with her husband Shannon and her dog Coda, going for hikes, playing and watching sports, or working on her veggie garden. Megan was born in Hamilton but has called the Bay of Plenty home for most of her life. She lives in Te Puke and thinks it’s the best town on earth.

Junior Tuiti, Clinical Manager

Junior is Samoan, Cook Island and was born and raised in Ōtara, South Auckland. This is where he started his journey of working with young people. His passion for working with young people and serving communities now brings him to Live for More.

Junior has 18 years experience working with young people and their families as a youth worker, mentor, teacher aide and currently as a social worker. Junior has worked in both community and government organisations. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Social work (BASW) and is registered with the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB).

Junior is married with two children and together they call Tauranga home. His time outside of work is spent with them, where he enjoys taking his children out and spending time at the beach. In his spare time he also enjoys playing and watching as many sports as possible.

Jared Dixon, Programme Lead

Ko Mauao te maunga
Ko Tauranga te moana
Ko Takitimu te waka
Ko Ngāti Ranginui te iwi
Ko Ngai te Ahi te hapu
Ko Hairini te marae
Ko Jared Whakatana Dixon toku ingoa

Jared is the youth mentor at Live for More Charitable Trust. He is of Māori decent, born in Tauranga and raised in Otahuhu, South Auckland. He is the second eldest sibling in his family, with one older sister and four younger brothers. Jared went through the Tai Wātea surf therapy programme at Live for More in 2018 and has completely turned his life around since. Before joining the programme at Live for More, Jared spent six years in prison and was heavily caught up in crime, drugs and gangs. Jared now has a big heart for helping the young men at Live for More who have been brought up in the same lifestyle as he was. He now loves surfing and helping others break away from the negative lifestyle he once knew, using his own life experiences and past to motivate others, showing them that change IS possible. He works alongside Live for More participants and supports them to work towards their goals. Jared loves all sorts of sports, physical education, being active and keeping fit. Jared lives in Arataki, Mount Maunganui with his wife Krista and daughter Praise.

Larah Morrison, Office Manager

Born and bred in Hawke’s Bay, Larah has recently made the exciting move to Mt Maunganui, where she’s embracing new opportunities and experiences. With a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Canterbury, she combines her organizational and business skills with a deep appreciation for collaboration and serving others in her role as Office Manager at Live for More.

Outside of work, Larah feels most at home in the ocean—whether surfing, swimming, or enjoying a walk along the beach. She also loves to cook and share meals with her friends and family. She values family, nature, staying well connected, and always strives to bring positivity and enthusiasm into everything she does.

With her feet now firmly placed in Mt Maunganui, she’s excited to explore new horizons through being part of the Live for More whanau.

Rachel Blakely, Youth Clinician

Rachel is a youth clinician at Live for More, working with the Tai Wātea programme.

Born and raised in Ranfurly, Central Otago, Rachel has called Tauranga Moana home for the last 11 years. Having staffed for seven years with Youth With A Mission, and mentoring youth since 2020, Rachel carries a passion for walking alongside young people; supporting and celebrating the growth and potential of every individual. This passion saw her recently complete a Bachelor of Counselling degree, with the hope of offering spaces that support healing and ignite purpose among our city’s rangatahi.

When she’s not at work, Rachel can be found spending time with her friends, hiking the Mount, playing tennis, painting, jamming on the guitar, and long-boarding as she prepares to take on the surf with our team!

Sione Vaka, Youth Navigator

Malo e lelei

Sione Vaka was born in a small island of Tonga. The last few years he has spent time working in logistics, warehousing and storage. He has been in Tauranga Moana for 6 years and loves it here.

Sione has a huge passion for brotherhood. He loves catching up and hearing other people stories – the high and lows, and he loves encouraging the brothers. He joined Live For More because he has the heart, passion and the capacity to support the brothers. He always has a positive attitude and is a hugely respectful and kind person.

Sione has an awesome whānau. Him and his wife Mereana have 4 children and they live in Pāpāmoa. In his spare time, he love to climb up Mauao for prayer and watching the sunrise. He also loves fitness and seeing others make changes to better themselves.

Aimee Halstead, Youth Clinician

Aimee is a Youth Clinician at Live for More working with the Tai Whakaora programme. Aimee is passionate about supporting young people to become the best versions of themselves, empowering positive change and helping them recognize their potential.

Aimee started her social work journey with the Department of Corrections as a Probation Officer, following on then as a Social Worker in Schools. She has a Bachelor of Social Work and is registered with the Social Workers Registration Board.

Aimee is half Kiwi and half German. She was born and raised in Waitakere, Auckland, however, now calls Mount Maunganui home.

Outside of work you can find Aimee and her partner at the beach, swimming, surfing, wakeboarding, diving, or anything else to do with our beautiful Moana. Aimee is so excited to share the stoke with our whanau here at Live for More.