Our People

Ko Whatitiri te maunga
Ko Mangakahia te awa
Ko Ngātokimatawhaoroa te waka
Ko Ngāpuhi te iwi
Ko Te Uriroroi te hapu
Ko Maungarongo te marae
Ko Kaitlin Ngawini Scott tōku ingoa

I grew up in Whangārei and went to WGHS. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Auckland in 2017 (majoring in philosophy and development studies). In 2018 I volunteered for a year as a marketing and events assistant in Timor-Leste with Volunteer Services Abroad (VSA). This volunteer assignment furthered my understanding and belief in the power of community, culture and relationships. I love that ONEONESIX gives space for our community to come together and celebrate one another. I am grateful to be a part of it.

Laurel Devenie is a director, actor, teacher and theatre-maker and graduate of Toi Whakaari: The New Zealand Drama School and the John Bolton Theatre School. She has worked consistently throughout the country in many different theatrical arenas. She has been heavily involved in professional and community theatre projects in the Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton, Wanaka and Northland regions. She currently plays Kate Nathan on Shortland Street.

She is the Director and founder of Company of Giants (Odyssey, Giant Teeth, The Owl and the Pussycat, Rangitahua, Milk and Honey) and directs both text based work and large scale devised pieces. She is co-instigator of ONEONESIX and is heavily committed to developing an audience in this region, and contributing to the growth of a professional performing arts framework in Whangārei, as well as continuing to create original exciting work for people of all ages. She believes that growth in the performing arts sector in our region comes from supporting touring work, creating a space for the development of new work and building opportunities for local performers, young people and community members to learn how to make work that is relevant to them.  She grew up in Whangārei and attended WGHS.

He uri ahau nō Aerana, nō Ingarangi, nō Tenemāka, nō Nōwei, nō Te Pāpaka-a-Māui
I whānaunau ahau ki Waitākere
Kua noho ahau ki Te Tai Tokerau mai rānō i pēpi ahau
Kei te Whangārei ahau e noho ana
Ko tēnei taku mihi ki ngā tangata o te rōhe nei, me ngā tangata o te whenua
Ko pukenga oro me turama ahau e mahi ana
Ko kaiwhakatangitangi ahau
Ko Scott Wynne ahau

Scott has been a resident of Te Tai Tokerau since early childhood and brings over four years of experience in the events industry to the ONEONESIX team. He has worked as an audio and lighting technician, contracting with Belltech, and as a venue technician and operator for Forum North. In addition to his technical expertise, Scott is an active member of the local music scene, performing as the lead guitarist in multiple Whangarei-based bands and playing drums for Maggie Cocco, along with several other local musical acts.

I am deeply inspired by the power of cultural expression and the transformative benefits of Kapa haka through theatre, performing arts and youth advocacy, whilst passionately enthusiastic about supporting rangatahi to carve their own voices into the world through their desired form of expression. I am dedicated to fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment within the spaces I work and create to encourage positive change for artists, rangatahi and whānau.

I believe that investing in the development of rangatahi Māori as artists within a community theatre context is not just culturally imperative but a societal enrichment. The fusion of indigenous identity within the arts not only preserves tradition but also fosters creativity, confidence, and community cohesion.

Jesse is a local creative who has lived in Whangārei his entire life. Introduced to the local creative scene by the vibrant community of Whangārei, Jesse plays a key role in the family business, managing youth mentoring programs, life skills workshops, and motivational training for young people. ONEONESIX has long been a cherished venue for creatives in the area, offering a welcoming space for all. Jesse is proud to be involved with ONEONESIX and is enthusiastic about its future.

Derek trained at East 15 Acting School in the mid 70’s. On completion of his training he worked as an actor and performer for various organisations including a 6 month season as a comedy acrobat.

In 1981 he joined Theatre Venture, a newly formed community theatre company in the East End of London as their Stage Manager. From there he went on to work as Stage Manager for various companies before joining Chester Gateway Theatre as Production Manager in 1985. He then worked as Production Manager for Bolton Octagon, Royal Lyceum Theatre Company – Edinburgh and from 1993 – 2003 as Production Manager for the Bristol Old Vic. While in Bristol he worked on various National tours and West End transfers, major community projects, Theatre in Education Projects and on plans for a major refurbishment of the historic Theatre Royal (the Old Vic Companies home) and associated buildings.

Since arriving here, he has worked with various companies and organisations including Toi Whakaari New Zealand Drama School, The Conch as Producer and Production Manager, Auckland Festival – Producer / Production Manager of Penumbra and Vula, Awkward Productions – various shows and Circus Festivals, Java Dance, Wellington International Arts Festival and Capital E. While with capital E he was Producer of the Capital E National Arts Festival 2009, 2011 and 2013 as well as being the Project Manager for their move from Civic Square to the current Queens Wharf site.

Since arriving in Northland, he has worked with The Old Library, Northland Youth Theatre, ONEONESIX and for 3 years as General Manager of Red Leap Theatre. In 2020 he became the Technical Manager for Whangarei’s inaugural Fringe Festival , a role he continues in to-date.

Gillian’s family was always involved with theatre and so she spent much of her early life acting and enjoying the company of other people who acted, until, at a moment of epiphany while performing on the stage, she realised that her role in the theatre should not be as practitioner but as enlightened audience. A lifetime embracing this role ever since has led her naturally to taking on the task of organising the volunteers for ONEONESIX, opening the door for our helpers to see the wonderful range of performances that come our way as a reward for helping out with front of house or behind the bar.

When not in the theatre, she spent her working life teaching linguistics and English for speakers of other languages, here, around New Zealand (Christchurch, Palmerston North) and in China, but was drawn back to the north in semi-retirement, as this feels like her turangawaewae. Nowadays, she continues to work part-time, on contract and voluntarily, supporting migrants with their English. And is otherwise to be found in the garden, looking after her mokopuna, or at ONEONESIX.