Our Team
Meet the Tuia Waitākere team.
David George
Chief Executive Officer
David is an immensely proud father of two daughters, a husband, and is driven by a deep desire to ensure no one misses out on the ability to be active and well that helps everyone achieve their aspirations. With nearly 25 years of experience across sport and health in Aotearoa and internationally, David has led teams through complexity and change, whilst always retaining a clear focus on creating real, lasting impact for communities. Since joining Tuia Waitākere in 2015 and stepping into the Chief Executive role in 2022, David has both witnessed and lived the power of this kaupapa. That lived experience fuels his commitment to the organisation’s mission. He leads with purpose, guiding a talented, values driven team to unlock the power of wellbeing through community sport, arts, movement, and culture across West Auckland
Email
Antionette Aalbers
GM - Community Sport and Recreation
Antionette is an experienced sport, recreation and community leader with more than 25 years’ experience across facility management, recreation centres, swimming pools, club leadership, community sport systems and strategic partnerships. Her background includes management roles in recreation and aquatics operations, as well as serving as General Manager of Auckland University Rugby Football Club, giving her strong experience across operations, governance, funding, stakeholder relationships, people leadership and community impact. At Tuia Waitākere, Antionette leads the Community Sport and Recreation Team, overseeing Tu Manawa, play, sport, active recreation, Healthy Active Learning, regional sport development, priority community outcomes, funding, reporting and strategic relationships. She is passionate about locally led, equitable outcomes that support tamariki, rangatahi, whānau and priority communities across West Auckland to participate, belong and thrive.
Email
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.
Email
Fole (Daleki) Finau
Principal Systems Advisor Pasifika
Fole (Daleki) Finau is a Tongan systems change practitioner grounded in anga fakatonga and lea fakatonga. With years of place-based prevention and community-led change across West Auckland, he brings expertise in partnership, co-design and talanoa-led engagement.
Email