OUR PEOPLE

OPERATIONS TEAM

Rochelle Williamson
Kensington Fitness Lead
rochellew@sportnorth.co.nz

Hayden Wood
Gym Coordinator
haydenw@sportnorth.co.nz

John Paul (JP) Ogden

(he/him) | Ngati Paoa

Group Fitness Coordinator
johnpaulo@sportnorth.co.nz

Nigel Prince
Adminstration Coordinator
nigelp@sportnorth.co.nz

CUSTOMER SERVICE TEAM

Sam Robinson

Flo Selby

Tihewa Smith

Raewyn Stanners

FITNESS FLOOR INSTRUCTORS

All our fitness instructors are professionals with full qualifications in exercise prescription, body composition testing and fitness assessment. All are well informed in areas of nutrition and maintaining a healthy and active life style.

We will tailor a specific exercise programme to help you achieve your goals, be it fat loss, improved fitness or a desire to feel healthier and have more energy, taking into consideration any medical issues or injuries you may have.

An instructor is always available on the Fitness Floor to assist you.

To book fitness an assessment and a new programme appointment please see the staff at reception or on the Fitness Floor.

Kruze Etherington

Katrina Barrett

McKAY STADIUM OPERATIONS

Luana Hohaia
Stadium Lead
luanah@sportnorth.co.nz

GROUP FITNESS INSTRUCTORS

John-Paul Ogden

Programmes Trained in: BODYPUMP, SPRINT, GRIT, CORE, BODYATTACK

Commenced Instructing: 2013

Why I love it: Group fitness is my absolute passion because it allows me to help people get fitter and live a healthier life. I started group fitness classes as a high schooler and instantly fell in love, so much so that I got shoulder tapped into becoming an instructor at the ripe age of 17, which I jumped at! Why not hey? Also, I love the fact that Les Mills Group Fitness caters to the wide demographic of members at Kensington Fitness and I love being able to scale through all the levels of fitness so everybody in my classes feels like they can achieve success.

Nikki Jones

Programmes Trained in: BODYATTACK, BODYPUMP, RPM, LES MILLS GRIT

Commenced Instructing: 2014

Why I love it: There is nothing like the group fitness feel. The music, the people, the passion. It is a vibe and an addiction. To move together, riding the same highs and lows through the workout, and finishing together stronger! It's a pleasure and a privilege to join people on their fitness journeys.

Christine Fraser

Programmes Trained in: Lite Circuit/Sit Fit, BODYBALANCE, CORE, RPM

Commenced instructing: 1986

Why I love it: I love GROUP FITNESS and instructing, which is about giving the best experience that I can deliver for that programme. Kensington Fitness is like a family to me and as an instructor I love to see people reaching their goals or just generally feeling good about themselves from the inside out.

In my day job I'm a Dental Therapist for Northland DHB, Mum (3 adult daughters) and Nana. My sports are running (every distance and terrain), triathlon, ocean swimming, cycling on and off road. I'm also learning the drums!

Cathy Orevich

Programmes Trained in: CORE, BODYPUMP, RPM, SPRINT, BODYBALANCE and GRIT.

Commenced instructing: Many years ago

Why I love it: I have always been involved in some form of sporting activity both team and individual sports.

I love cross-training and I’m a huge supporter of Group Fitness classes and health in general.

My interests include Bodybuilding, powerlifting, obstacle course racing and just enjoying the great outdoors.

Tawera Henare

Programmes Trained in: RPM

Commenced Instructing: 2019

Why I love it: Group fitness has massive power to make positive changes throughout your health and wellness journey as it did with mine. It is always a fun, motivational, inspiring journey that I am happy to join you on.

Gabriella McDonald

Programme Trained in: RPM

Commenced Instructing: 2010

Why I love it: I have always had a real passion for exercise. I love to motivate people with a good and varied choice of music so that everyone regardless of their age or fitness can give their best while enjoying a great ride. I try to be enthusiastic and approachable. I am a people's person and I love meeting new riders. I believe exercise improves your physical and mental wellbeing. Exercise should be fun and motivating - RPM certainly has it all.

Colin Dall

Programmes Trained in: BODYPUMP

Commenced Instructing: 2006

Why I love it: Bodypump is a great group fitness programme for people of all ages. I love challenging and motivating my class participants to work hard and give me their best.

Chontelle Watts

Programmes Trained in: BODYPUMP, GRIT

Commenced Instructing: 2019

Why I love it: You absolutely cannont beat the intensity, motivation and fun of working out in a group! Seeing our members become fitter, healthier and gain confidence in themselves is so rewarding and I love that I can play a small role in someone's health and fitness journey.

Clark Lewis

Programmes Trained in: RPM, GRIT, SPRINT, BODYATTACK

Commenced Instructing: 2013

Why I love it: I love to train with likeminded people and there is something very satisfying about seeing members getting fitter and achieving their fitness and health goals and being able to personally play a small part in that, is pretty cool.

I love to motivate and encourage people which in my classes, this involves loud music and the odd yeah-ha and wa-hoo from time to time. I hope to see you in a class soon!

Katherine Hooper

Programmes Trained in: BODYPUMP, BODYBALANCE

Commenced Instructing: 1996

Why I love it: I just love it! Helping people to gain health benefits while having fun in group fitness is the best buzz ever!

Joanne West

Programmes Trained in: BODYATTACK, BODYSTEP, CORE & BODYPUMP

Commenced Instructing: 25 years ago

Why I love it: Background sport of rowing and back in the day won 4 national rowing titles.

Started with Kensington Fitness. Group Fitness is pure fitness fun. Good instructors get that it’s not about them but you as the participant in the class. It’s about your experience, your goals, your fun and what you’re striving for. I’m pleased to be a part of this and create a class experience that keeps people coming back and enjoying their fitness journey.

Lee Taylor

Programmes Trained in: RPM, BODYPUMP, BODYATTACK, BODYBALANCE, GRIT, CIRCUIT, Kiwi Seniors, Tai Chi, Pilates

Commenced Instructing: 1981

Why I love it: I have been teaching the Les Mills programme and trained in other programmes for many years now (I started when I was 10 hahaha). I really love seeing the difference it makes to those that attend, from improved fitness levels through to just basically feeling good about yourself. It really is never too late to start, you just gotta want to!

Anna Markwick

Programmes Trained in: RPM, CORE, BODYSTEP, BODYCOMBAT

Commenced Instructing: 1996

Why I love it: Nothing beats working out with likeminded people to awesome music that just keeps me motivated!

Suzy McAsey

Programmes Trained in: RPM, BODYPUMP, BODYATTACK

Commenced Instructing: 1992

Why I love it: I feel fortunate to do a job I love. I have taught in a large amount of gyms around NZ and London and I get a buzz out of the feeling of a group of people from all walks of life exercising together to one collective beat. I am a real people person and love to try create an atmosphere of energy and excitement that helps people escape and be in the moment; a little moment away from their normal lives. I have been involved in many sports at a competitive level and I am still involved in coaching Volleyball. I have two daughters and I try to be a good role model to them and show them how important not just physical and mental health.

Lesley Ashcroft

Programmes Trained in: BODYPUMP

Commenced Instructing: 2010

Why I love it: I love being a part of all the positivity that comes with group fitness – confidence, mental and physical wellbeing, great energy and loads of fun!

I love supporting, encouraging and inspiring every single person to achieve their fitness goals.

Stacey Thomas

Group fitness is an absolute passion for me. As someone who started their fitness journey later in life, I love to encourage people to “just give it a go”. Instructing and coaching the members at KF is so inspiring and pushes me to do more and work harder myself. I get excited to show up for classes and share my energy with everyone so they can get the most out of their workout and leave feeling proud of their efforts.

Tony Carne

Programmes Trained in: Yang Syle Taiji (Ta'i Chi) Chuan

Commenced Instructing: 2021

Why I love it:: I started learning taiji in Wellington in 1998; attracted to the slow, graceful movements and the fact they could be used as a martial art. Over the years I have become less interested in the martial side, but love the energy and balance (both physical and mental) I get from performing the art. Since being invited to join Kensington Fitness to teach taiji, I have been delighted to share its benefits with attendees at the twice weekly classes; many of whom have told me of the health and wellness benefits they are enjoying since taking up the practice, including improved balance and agility, better coordination and mental acuity and improved posture and breathing. Classes include gentle warming up exercises, a short set of qigong exercises, then around 30 minutes of slow taiji 'form' practice, followed by a coffee and a chat at Refuel Cafe upstairs for those who have the time and inclination.

Keeli Mackereth

Programmes Trained in: SHAPES

Commenced Instructing: 2025

Why I love it: I decided to become a group fitness instructor after falling in love with the Les Mills Shapes classes in 2024. The mixture of barre, pilates and yoga is the perfect combo for me! The workouts remind me of conditioning exercises from when I did ballet during my schooling years. I love the pulses and the burn of the shapes workout and I have loved sharing this unique workout with our members!