Our Team
Olivia Garelja
Chief Executive officer
Olivia is an all round creative having specialised in mural art, photography & design, graduated with 1st class Honours in 2010 from AUT Art & Design. Her career pulls from a retail customer experience /account/ relationship management and education background spanning global and national leading brands within the technology industry over the last 10 years within the commercial and consumer space. She is full of ideas and is passionate about helping one realise and own their creative voice. Her focus with Creative Northland is about refining the creative operation that sets Te Tai tokerau as a leading force for creative sustainability and strategic platform in NZ.
Sarah Chong
Operations Team Lead
Sarah brings over 10 years’ experience supporting arts and community organisations. With a background in spatial design and 9 years contributing to a volunteer-led, not-for-profit performing arts organisation, her work spans operations, governance and project delivery, including securing grant funding to support creative initiatives.
Sarah is passionate about providing behind-the-scenes support where creativity can thrive, enabling others to focus on what they do best while contributing to a connected, resilient creative sector across Te Tai Tokerau.
Jo Roberts
Events & Project Manager
Jo Roberts is a lifelong creative with a background spanning dance, music, and movement-based arts. With over 10 years’ experience in community events and fundraising, she specialises in delivering vibrant, family-friendly events that foster participation and connection within the creative sector. For the past three years, Jo has led ArtBeat, focusing on interactive and inclusive programming that encourages audiences to actively engage with arts, culture, and heritage.
She is also a facilitator in yoga, pilates, and movement experiences, bringing a strong wellbeing approach to her work.
Jo brings a wide range of skills including event planning, marketing, and fundraising.
Lenny Murupaenga
Nga Toi Maori Navigator & curator
Lenny continues to contribute to the cultural landscape in Te Tai Tokerau now in the role of Nga Toi Maori Navigator & Curator. His work reflects a commitment to preserving and promoting the rich artistic heritage of the region. Leonard Foley Murupaenga’s life and work intertwine, creating a narrative of resilience, creativity, and a deep connection to both his personal history and the broader cultural tapestry.
Lenny is looking forward to connecting with local artists and navigating them on their creative journey.
Kylee Newbold
Creative Advisor (Kaipara)
Kylee is a colour loving creative based in Mangawhai Heads, Northland. Her background is within Visual Arts Education, supporting both rangatahi and adults to build their own art practices and strengthen their wellbeing through creativity. Through her own art practice, Kylee is passionate about reducing the environmental impact of her pieces and often works with second hand and repurposed materials. As our Kaipara Creative Advisor, Kylee is keen to support creatives within the Kaipara district to turn their ideas into reality and build the offering of arts events/initiatives within our community.
Melanie Chandler Winters
Creative Advisor (Far North)
Melanie comes with 33 years of experience in the Creative Sector and has been working with a number of community and corporate organisations. Looking to enhance and bring together our Arts community in this region with the objective of establishing an Arts and Culture Policy for the Far North. Looking to encourage and support all the art events and venues, galleries towards an even stronger creative industry in Northland.
Alanah Stigsdottir
Marketing and Administration
Alanah joined Creative Northland as a marketing and communication intern, which has opened up the opportunity for her to learn and upskill. Working for a business that is community-minded and involved in the creative sector is a huge bonus, as she is a Bachelor of Applied Visual Arts graduate and can bring her design skills to the table. She has also worked as a Gallery Host at Whangarei Art Museum and Reyburn House Art Gallery. She has been living here in Northland for 15 years with her two children and cat. Alanah is excited to help make our creative community flourish and learn more about the Creative Sector.
