Our Team

Ants is a recreational water user with a passion and respect for wai from a young age. He has extensive experience in the diving industry and has taught respect for water in many aquatic environments. Having worked in the water safety sector for many years, Ants brings to DPA a valuable understanding of, and strong relationships within, the New Zealand water safety sector. Prior to reengaging with the water safety sector, Ants led large teams in the disability sector. His passion for education and partnerships, together with his operational, financial and people management experience, mean that DPA will be well served in its commitment to achieve its vision for a Tāmaki Makaurau /Auckland free from drowning.

Bachelor of Business Management & Economics
Kushida started with Drowning Prevention Auckland as a volunteer in 2014 as Admin Support, then joined as a part-time Accounts Administrator and is now our Finance Manager. She is a graduate of the University of the South Pacific, Fiji, where she majored in Business Management and Economics. She also has a Certificate in Computing and Administration from Unitec, Auckland. Kushida is a Fijian Muslim, speaking Hindi and Fijian. Kushida is married and has two children and in her spare time she loves spending time with her family.

Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Sociology, Post-grad Honours in Geography

Isla has recently completed her BA Honours in Geography, writing her thesis on the health benefits of school swimming pools in West Auckland. Spending around 20 years living in short walking distance to the Manukau Harbour, and enjoying many holidays at a popular Northland beach, the water has always been a place to spend time in, on and around. She has had boating exposure, both private and public swimming lessons through school and has been involved in similar water safety activities and learning to what DPA provides. When she found out there was an organisation in Auckland supporting these education efforts, she knew DPA was where she wanted to work to help make a difference. In her spare time, she enjoys going on hikes, staying active at the gym, and relaxing in front of a good Netflix series.

Graduate Diploma in Primary Education
Registered Teacher

Helen joins Drowning Prevention Auckland after 12 years of primary school teaching all over Auckland, including experience working with special needs and high behaviour needs students. In addition to classroom teaching, she has coached swimming, cross country, netball and cricket in the various schools she has worked in.
Helen also spent two years living and teaching in Virginia, USA.

Helen is excited to bring water safety education programmes to schools, helping teachers to grow their knowledge and skills to teach aquatic education confidently.

When not working, Helen enjoys hiking, trail running, biking and beach days with family and friends.

BA of Mass Communication and Post Grad of Marketing and International Business
Madison is of Chinese descent and worked with Deloitte in mainland China for many years in a C-suite role (senior management). He came to New Zealand with his family to enable his family to enjoy the Kiwi lifestyle. Madison has a great passion and energy for community engagement and has previously been working with the Electoral Commission to grow understanding of New Zealand’s government and democracy with Asian communities. He has also volunteered with Rotary for five years on Communication and Public Relations for New Zealand and Pacific Islands. His other voluntary work includes being a translator with Ethnic Community Leadership with Auckland Police. He has had his own unpleasant experience with both rock-fishing and boat fishing in Coromandel and comes with a deep commitment to make a difference for the Asian community, keeping them safe when enjoying aquatic environments.

Final year Bachelor of Health Science Paramedicine Major, Certificate of Business
Josh comes to us with an extensive Surf Life Saving background with 13 years of experience in the professional and volunteer lifeguarding environment along New Zealand’s’ East and West coast beaches. Josh has been involved with a number of aquatic environments including inflatable rescue boat racing, recreational boating, fishing, surfing, competitive swimming and pool lifeguarding. Josh is an advanced lifeguard and patrol captain for Piha and Ocean Beach Kiwi Surf Lifesaving clubs and a keen instructor who loves to share his passion and knowledge for the water with his peers. Josh comes to us with three years of St John frontline ambulance critical care experience which he looks forward to incorporating with his aquatic skills to provide water safety courses to organisations. In his spare time, you will typically find him on or around fresh or saltwater catching fish, hiking through bush to find new surf breaks or swimming at the local pool.