Meet the Team

Our Team

Tami is a Mum of two teenage boys and an adult daughter. She is a Registered Psychotherapist and Clinical Social Worker. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan, a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Chicago, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Inclusive Education from the University of Auckland. Tami has 26 years of experience managing non-profit organisations and programmes in New Zealand and the United States. She is a nationally recognised advocate and spokesperson on neurodiversity and mental health.

Paul is a Teacher, musician, business owner, and Dad to four beautiful girls. He has toured, recorded, and managed professional New Zealand musicians for several years. For over a decade, he taught as a music specialist in high schools including Papatoetoe, Henderson, Otāhuhu, and St Paul’s. He went on to establish recording studios and develop a music curriculum, later moving into Alternative Education where he designed a programme that taught literacy through music. Paul also taught music theory and performance at the tertiary level. He is now self-employed, running a music production and audio visual systems company that manages live events and shows such as the Aotearoa Music Awards.

Phil has operated for over 25 years as owner and director of several trade based companies and is currently managing director of Gas Serve Ltd. This role has resulted in significant experience in careful financial management, contract negotiation and delivery, health and safety planning, and staff training and management. Phil is actively involved with community youth programmes through the Boys Brigade of NZ. He leads the Auckland Massey unit and previously served the association in a funding advisory role. Phil focuses on building firm, quality relationships and understanding that integrity and long term stability are essential for consistent success. He is the Dad of three wonderful children; two girls and a boy.

Prior to The Forest School, Gavin taught as an Outdoor Education, PE, EOTC, Sailing and Geography teacher, in NZ and Kuala Lumpur. He worked with Youth at Risk in New Zealand and Australia and served as NZ Director for an American international education company teaching Leadership at Universities. Gavin is a Coastal Skipper and previously worked at the NZ Sailing Trust, was a professional Lifeguard for over a decade, he led the Regional Lifeguard Service for Surf Lifesaving Northern Region and as a Westpac Rescue Helicopter Underwater Trainer. He is a qualified NZOIA instructor, NZ Surf Instructor and has represented New Zealand in the National Surfing Team at World Championships. Gavin holds a Bachelor of Business Studies, a Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy), and a Graduate Diploma in Teaching. He is a New Zealand Registered Teacher and qualified to PHEC.

Tennille is an experienced educator, visionary school leader, and passionate advocate for children and meaningful education. A registered teacher with more than 25 years of experience, Tennille has taught and led across a wide range of educational settings in New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and within the international school community in South East Asia. She holds a Bachelor of Education and has extensive experience across both Early Childhood and Primary education, with a particular strength in curriculum design and creating innovative learning environments.
In 2016, Tennille founded The Forest School, a pioneering nature-immersed education model designed to reconnect children with curiosity, creativity, and the natural world. What began as a small extension programme has grown into a powerful educational movement, attracting widespread interest across NZ and internationally.
Tennille is widely recognised for her leadership in nature-based education and her work is grounded in a deep belief that education should nurture the whole child — fostering confidence, connection, and as a platform for thriving.
Above all, Tennille is a proud mother of three boys and a delighted new nana, roles that continue to inspire her commitment to creating better educational experiences for the next generation.

Alistair is a Chartered Accountant with the New Zealand Society of Accountants (since 1988) and completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration. Now retired, Alistair brings extensive experience in business, accounting, and IT across a range of industries in New Zealand and overseas. He has owned and developed businesses in billing software, hospitality in the UK, and manufacturing in NZ. He served on the Board of Trustees at Orewa College (2013–2016) and is the current Treasurer for Restore Hibiscus Coast and Bays. His strong conservation interests have led him to complete the Growsafe Basic Certificate (2024) and the New Zealand Dotterel (Tūturiwhatu) Practical Management Workshop (2023). He understands how organisations work and how to navigate complex systems and stakeholders to achieve results.