Whanganui OfficePhysical Address: 11 Park Place, Whanganui
Postal Address: PO Box 4003, Whanganui, 4541 Finance Division Phone: (06) 349 0903 Email: [email protected] Property Division Phone: (06) 349 0902 Email: [email protected] |
Steven Whittaker - Regional Manager/Associate General Manager
Steve has been with the company since July 1994 and moved from the New Plymouth office in July 2001 to become the foundation Regional Manager in Rotorua. In November 2016 he moved from Rotorua to become the Whanganui Regional Manager. Steve holds a NZ Diploma in Business and is a member of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (ACA). Steve's role is to provide a direct link to client schools in the Whanganui, Manawatu and Hawkes Bay.
Jason Cameron - Manager
Jason joined ESL in mid-2020. He recently completed his NZ Diploma in Business extramurally and is working towards a degree. Coming from a lengthy period in hospitality he understands the strength of a good team and the sacrifice it takes to work together for the bigger picture. Raising his step son Nixon, with the help his wife Jen, has shown him how important it is to lay solid foundations for kids, especially education, helping them to get the most from whatever life's journey might have instore for them.
Sheree Herewini - Client Officer
Sheree joined the team in May 2007 as an Administration Officer. Sheree then took on the role as Client Officer in 2017 and she is responsibility for 24 school clients. The main purpose of Sheree’s role is to provide clients with an accurate, efficient monthly accounting service which leads to a stress free end of year audit process.
Sheree is a proud mother of five sons and they keep her very busy with all the sports they play. In her spare time, she enjoys videography and photography, capturing all the special moments of her sons and teams mates. She is involved with Touch and Rugby in the Whanganui Community.
Sheree is a proud mother of five sons and they keep her very busy with all the sports they play. In her spare time, she enjoys videography and photography, capturing all the special moments of her sons and teams mates. She is involved with Touch and Rugby in the Whanganui Community.
Morgan Johnston - Client Officer
Morgan became part of the team in February 2022. Prior to joining Education Services, she worked as a checkout operator. She completed a Certificate of Business Administration in 2021, via distance learning, with plans of starting her Diploma in Business within the next year. In her down time she enjoys spending time with her two young children and family. The main purpose of Morgan’s role is to provide clients with an accurate, efficient monthly accounting service which leaves the client feeling confident and informed.
Megan Hartley - Client Officer
Megan joined the ESL team in 2022 as a Client Officer after several years working as a contact centre representative. Megan moved from Wellington to Whanganui in 2014 and is enjoying the change. Megan’s spare time is filled spending time with her husband and their two daughters who have numerous Performing Arts activities. Megan is also an office holder on the committee for the Whanganui Performing Arts Academy.
Megan’s role is to provide accurate, efficient monthly accounting services for her school clients.
Megan’s role is to provide accurate, efficient monthly accounting services for her school clients.
Jane Nyaga - Client Officer
Jane became part of the team in November 2022. Prior to joining Education Services, she has worked as an audit assistant in Kenya, and until recently as an audit intermediate in NZ. Jane enjoys tramping in the weekends, gardening and spending time with family and friends. She is excited to join the team and looking forward to new challenges the new role will bring.
Ethan Vinnell - Client Officer
Ethan previously worked for Embassy 3 Cinemas for 15 years as a supervisor and 2 Degrees as a sales rep. This has been essential for developing his strong communication and customer service skills. Ethan enjoys spending time with his four kids and on occasion unwinding from the day with a bit of Xbox. He is looking forward to the new challenges that the role will bring.
Amanda Calver - Client Officer
Amanda joined the ESL team in 2024 as a Client Officer after working in a variety of admin/finance roles over the years. Amanda’s spare time is filled with her 2 teenage sons and their many sporting endeavours. Amanda has also been the Treasurer of the Wanganui Motor Boat Club for the last 3 years.
Amanda’s role is to provide accurate, efficient monthly accounting services for her school clients.
Amanda’s role is to provide accurate, efficient monthly accounting services for her school clients.
Abby Englebretsen - Client Officer
Abby joined the ESL team in 2024 as a Client Officer after working in a variety of admin/finance roles over the years. Abby is also a qualified Dental Assistant. Abby spends her free time with her 3 children. They enjoy going on walks and traveling. Abby enjoys gardening and playing her Bass and Guitar.
Abby’s role is to provide accurate, efficient monthly accounting services for her school clients.
Abby’s role is to provide accurate, efficient monthly accounting services for her school clients.
Hazel Gregg - Client Officer
Hazel became part of the team in February 2025. Prior to joining Education Services, she was at Girls High in Palmerston North. In her down time she enjoys rock climbing. The main purpose of Hazel’s role is to provide clients with an accurate, efficient monthly accounting service which leaves the client feeling confident and informed.
Mandy Fisher - Administration Officer
Mandy joined the team in May 2007 as an Administration Officer. The main purpose of her role is creditor processing and keeping the asset registers up to date for the branch. Mandy thoroughly enjoys her role and being part of the ESL family. In her spare time she enjoys travel, catching up with family and friends and getting out for walks.
Gail Hayman - Administration Officer
Gail joined the team in June 2022. Prior to joining Education Services she worked as a Bank Officer for 20+ years and more recently Administrator for Ezi Finance. Gail enjoys gardening, catching up with friends and family, loves completing jigsaws and plays scrabble. The main purpose of Gail’s role is to provide clients with an accurate, efficient monthly accounting service which leaves the client feeling confident and informed.
Fiona Whaanga - Administration Officer
Fiona has 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren. She comes to us after nearly 9 years at St Joseph’s Māori Girls’ College, ready for a change and new challenge.
When she is not at work she loves spending time with family and friends, and enjoying Napier’s Marine Parade, awesome cafes, music venues, going to the movies, shows and musicals. She especially enjoys the many walking trails up and around the hills of Napier, especially if that means a café at the end of the walk!
At home Fiona much prefers reading, crafting, cooking and gardening to housework, and can be easily tempted to drop everything and head to a café if need be. She would love to travel more, both in New Zealand and overseas (and search out cool cafes).
When she is not at work she loves spending time with family and friends, and enjoying Napier’s Marine Parade, awesome cafes, music venues, going to the movies, shows and musicals. She especially enjoys the many walking trails up and around the hills of Napier, especially if that means a café at the end of the walk!
At home Fiona much prefers reading, crafting, cooking and gardening to housework, and can be easily tempted to drop everything and head to a café if need be. She would love to travel more, both in New Zealand and overseas (and search out cool cafes).
Karen Harrington - Client Recoveries Officer
Karen joined Education Services in September 2006 having previous office experience working for a production company. Karen holds a Diploma in Business Studies and is enjoying applying her accounting education to her current position. Her role involves liaising with creditors on behalf of clients, client recoveries and bank reconciliation as well as other associated tasks. Karen enjoys interacting with creditors on behalf of clients and providing support within the Finance Division. She also feels that you are never to old to learn new things.
Melanie Ford - Property Manager
Melanie originally joined ESL in a temporary capacity in March 2008 and has been with our property team since July 2008. Melanie excels in helping our clients with their property administration needs.
Dave Sheddan - Property Supervisor
Dave joined our property team late June 2017 with 24 years experience in the building industry. This background equips him perfectly to provide effective site supervision of property works at schools. Dave has a great attitude, work ethics and a good sense of humour.
Outside of work Dave enjoys fishing and spending time with his wife and 2 children.
Outside of work Dave enjoys fishing and spending time with his wife and 2 children.
Guy Harvey - Property Supervisor
Guy joined ESL in May 2022 with several years’ experience in the building industry along with project management. Prior to that Guy spent 10 years managing farms and people and developed a strong set of skills in communication, management and problem solving. He thrives off developing and maintaining strong rapport with both clients and subcontractors and loves seeing a project through to completion. Outside of work, Guy can be found working on projects in his workshop, helping his Fiancé Rebekah with their catering and bar service company and spending time with friends and family. Guy looks forward to working with the dynamic team here at ESL and building relationships with new and longstanding clients.
Tom Newport - Property Supervisor
Tom joined ESL in July 2023 and brings with him a wealth of experience, with over 25 years in the construction industry, across multiple different countries and job profiles. He has been involved in wide range of projects from working as a carpenter building mansions in the South of France, to Demolition Project Leader for Southern Response following the Chistchurch earthquakes. Tom is also an experienced humanitarian having completed rebuilding projects in Vanuatu, Fiji and Kiribati, following recent tropical cyclones. After hours Tom is a father of three and likes to spend his time outdoors, fishing, hunting and hanging out with his family.
Nicholas Kernahan - Property Supervisor
Nick joined the Property Team in January 2025. Nick is a qualified builder with 25plus years’ experience in construction. Seven of these have been working on school construction projects, which has given Nick extensive knowledge and experience in the area of school property project management & maintenance. Nick is a father to 3 children and enjoys spending time with family in weekends, coaching his children’s sports teams and playing golf in his spare time.
Trudi Deane - Property Administrator
Trudi became part of the team in November 2022. Prior to joining Education Services, she previously worked for Neighbourhood Support. Trudi enjoys walking with friends, gardening, reading and spending time with her daughters and family and friends.
Elyse Butters - Property Administrator
Elyse joined the ESL team in November 2024. She has a background in Retail and Veterinary Nursing which brings out her strengths in customer service, alongside her caring & kind nature. Elyse enjoys spending time with her Jack Russell x Arlo, gardening, feeding the wild/native birds, baking, spending quality time with her parents & friends.