Our Team
Meet the Tuia Waitakere team.
David George
Kaiwhakahaere Matua (CEO)
Having worked in a variety of roles both domestically and internationally across almost 20 years, David brings extensive experience of leading and supporting teams to achieve strategic outcomes. David is proud to lead an immensely talented whānau to achieve Sport Waitākere’s vision of ‘Kia Tuia, Kia Ora, Kia Tū’ (Everyone Connected, Healthy and Active) across the West Auckland community.
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Antionette Aalbers
GM - Community Sport and Recreation
Antionette manages the community sport and recreation team and oversees business development and strategic relationships. She also manages the design and delivery of local and regional strategies including the Auckland Approach to sport.
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Metiria Light
GM - Health
Ngāti Haaua, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa
Metiria guides and supports the team in navigating systems change that strengthens the health and wellbeing of West Auckland communities. Her ability to uphold cultural values while shaping strategy reflects her dedication to addressing the unique needs of the communities she serves. This combination of vision and leadership underpins her commitment to influencing positive change and advancing equitable health outcomes, particularly for Māori communities.
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Irina Lyanguzova
GM - Business and Finance
With a strong academic foundation in applied statistics and credentials as a FCPA Australia-qualified accountant and Member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors, Irina brings extensive experience across diverse roles in New Zealand and internationally. With over 15 years in not-for-profit financial management, Irina currently serves as General Manager – Business and Finance at Sport Waitākere. In this role, Irina leads strategic financial operations, anticipates organisational change, and drives service effectiveness through continuous ICT improvement, staff capability development, and project productivity optimisation.
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