WelCom February/March 2025
The Challenge 2000 Board, leadership team, whānau and supporters have welcomed Poto Williams as their new CEO. Poto, a former Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister, has a long association with NGOs throughout Aotearoa New Zealand and being committed to serving on society’s margins. Poto takes over the reins from acting CEO and founder Kitty McKinley.
The Challenge 2000 whānau welcomed Poto to their centre in Johnsonville with a pōwhiri in January. Kitty spoke of the immense gratitude she and the Challenge whānau had for Poto saying ‘YES’ and agreeing to lead Challenge into another decade.
Poto said, ‘I am delighted to take up this role and know the massive legacy Kitty has laid down for the young people and the communities she and the Challenge team have served for more than 35 years. I have been humbled by the stories of transformation and mahi with aroha, which are the quintessential experiences of anyone who has walked through these doors. And that is down to the commitment Kitty and the Challenge whānau have made to people over this time.’
A Registered Charity, Challenge 2000 provides social services, developmental, therapeutic programmes and projects throughout the Wellington Region. The agency has 35 full-time staff and over 100 active volunteers. Some of their work is funded through government contracts and Trusts, while the rest is provided by supportive donors.
The Challenge whānau remain committed to providing professional, loving, dynamic and responsive programmes and services, supporting the personal dignity of every person, encouraging social responsibility and building a hope-filled, just and equitable society.
Challenge began in the Johnsonville Catholic parish in 1988 to bring the gospel alive. Its Youth Ministry team offers retreats for Catholic schools, youth groups, community retreats for young people and adults, facilitates weekly liturgies at St Benedict’s and St Brigid’s schools, arranges events and Liturgies for specific Feast Days and commemorative days, such as Waitangi Day, Anzac Day and Matariki.
Challenge offers opportunities for young people to discover and live their faith in an intentional, meaningful, relational and relevant way. It works in partnership with the Society of Mary who fund their full-time Gap-Internship Year for 18- to 24-year-olds.
Challenge welcomes support. If you’d like to be involved in 2025 please contact the team at info@challenge2000.org.nz or ph (04) 477-6827 or visit challenge2000.org.nz for information.
