Our leadership

Executive Leadership Team | Te Riu

Chief Executive | Tumu Whakarae

Amanda Malu

Amanda was appointed Secretary for Children and Chief Executive of Oranga Tamariki in December 2025 and joined the organisation in February 2026.

She was previously Chief Executive of Education New Zealand, Deputy Chief Executive, Service Delivery at the Accident Compensation Corporation and Chief Executive of Whānau Āwhina Plunket.

Amanda is a proven leader with broad experience in guiding complex organisations through change, leading large service delivery functions, and improving outcomes for communities.

She has governance experience as a Director of Hilton Haulage Ltd (representing Ngāi Tahu Holdings), Director of Te Tauraki – Ngāi Tahu Iwi Māori Health Partnership Board, and Associate Director of Ngāi Tahu Holdings Corporation Ltd.

Acting Deputy Chief Executive: Professional practice and Chief Social Worker

Kiri Alexander

Kiri is a registered social worker, with extensive practice expertise across both the child protection and youth justice sectors.

She joined the Office of the Chief Social Worker in 2019 to support a significant legislative change programme, followed by the COVID-19 response.

Kiri supported the design and establishment of Oranga Tamariki. Her wealth of experience is backed by a BA in Psychology and a Master of Social Work (Applied).

Away from work, Kiri enjoys running, gardening and spending time with her whānau, including 5 mokopuna.

Deputy Chief Executive:
Youth justice services and residential care

Dean Winter

Dean joined Oranga Tamariki in November 2025.

He has held a number of executive roles working in diverse sectors, including the Commerce Commission, Education, Crown Law, Real Estate Authority and most recently the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

At the CAA Dean led several functions including strategy, assurance, legal, intelligence and investigations, while driving significant regulatory change to manage risk in aviation for Aotearoa New Zealand.

In his early career Dean joined the Army and then Police, where he spent time working with at-risk Tamariki in the Child Abuse area.

Deputy Chief Executive:
Enabling communities

Darrin Haimona

Darrin Haimona's (Tainui, Ngaati Hauāa) previous Oranga Tamariki roles include Chief Advisor Māori, Deputy Chief Executive Tamaki Advocate Group and Deputy Chief Executive Māori Partnerships and Communities.

He is also Chief Executive of Te Hauora O Ngati Haua Trust of Waharoa and Chair of Te Ope Koiora o Waikato Tainui, a collective of Whānau Ora providers. He led the development of E Tu Whānau, a response to combat family violence, and created Kia Rangatira Te Mahi.

He is a member of the Creative New Zealand Arts Council and was Chair of Te Waka Toi, the Māori Arts Board of Creative New Zealand. 

Acting Deputy Chief Executive:
System leadership

Nicolette Dickson

Nicolette is a registered social worker with more than 20 years social work practice and leadership experience. Although Nicolette comes from South Auckland, most of her practice was in Te Tai Tokerau, first as a health and mental health social worker. She joined Child Youth and Family in 2003, initially working mainly in Youth Justice before moving into a range of site, regional, and national roles.

Nicolette was appointed as the Central Auckland Regional Manager when Oranga Tamariki was established in 2017. She joined the Professional Practice Group as General Manager Practice in 2019.

Deputy Chief Executive:
People, culture and enabling services

Nicholas Pole

Nicholas is an experienced public service leader with extensive experience in organisational positioning, strategy and transformation.

Previously Chief Executive and Chief Review Officer of the Education Review Office, he spent nine years leading a major transformation programme and strengthening relationships across the education sector.

With a career spanning New Zealand and Australia, Nicholas held senior roles at the Victorian Department of Education and the Ministry of Social Development in Wellington.

He combines a strong commitment to public service with an approach that’s grounded in cultural responsiveness and a deep commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Deputy Chief Executive:
Commissioning and investment

Benesia Smith MNZM

Benesia has worked in and with the public service for 30 years.

A highly experienced leader, her recent roles include Executive Director of the Abuse in Care Royal Commission and Executive Director of the Christchurch terrorist attack Royal Commission. She’s advised Te Rūnanga o Ngai Tahu, the Department of Internal Affairs and other government departments. She was the Deputy Chief Executive, Strategy and Policy at the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority and worked at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Benesia was awarded a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2017 for services to the State.

Leadership Team

Chief of Staff:
Office of the Chief Executive

Stephanie Short

Stephanie first joined Oranga Tamariki in 2017. An experienced leader and manager, she has held several roles in the organisation, including Principal Chief Executive Advisor, Deputy Director, Acting Director and General Manager of the Office of the Chief Executive.

A dedicated social sector public servant, Stephanie has worked at the Court of Appeal, Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Social Development. She has an in-depth understanding of government and Parliament, following two secondments as Private Secretary to the Minister for Children.

Stephanie spent several years living in the UK and Australia. Away from work she spends her free time on a lifestyle block in the outskirts of Wellington with her husband and tamariki.

Executive Director:
Transformation and Strategic Alignment Group

Gary Meikle

Gary joined Oranga Tamariki in July 2024 as Chief Advisor to Deputy Chief Executive People, Culture and Enabling Services.

Before this, he had a 21-year career with New Zealand Police, holding a number of senior leadership positions at National Headquarters.

Gary was a strategic advisor to a leading performance specialist, focusing on people and business transformation.