our team
George Prescott
Senior Facilitator / Chaplain
E Uiga iā te Aʻu
I am a seasoned and community-grounded practitioner with over 37 years of service in the community and social services sector, supporting whanau from all walks of life across Aotearoa. Since 1988, my journey has been driven by a deep commitment to restoring hope, dignity, and resilience in the lives of individuals and families navigating complex challenges, including those affected by child protection issues and family harm.
My practice is informed not only by professional experience but also by lived wisdom. I bring a ‘streetwise’ understanding of the realities our communities face—grounded in empathy, cultural integrity, and a no-judgement approach that meets people where they are. My ability to build trust and walk alongside those often overlooked or underserved has been central to my impact over the decades.
Personal Background and Values
Originally from American Samoa and Tonga, I have called New Zealand home since 1977—bringing with me the values of faith, family, and service that are deeply rooted in my Pacific heritage. Now with over 47 years of residency in Aotearoa, I proudly stand as both a cultural bridge and a steadfast advocate for whanau wellbeing.
I have been happily married to my beautiful wife for over 35 years, and together we are blessed with four incredible children who continue to inspire and ground me. My whanau remains the heartbeat of my work and a daily reminder of what truly matters.
Role with Fathers For Families
For the past four years, I have been actively involved with Fathers For Families, a kaupapa Maori and faith-aligned organisation committed to breaking cycles of violence and restoring the role of the father within the whanau. Within this space, I serve as both a Senior Facilitator and Chaplain, supporting men on their journey toward healing, accountability, and transformation.
Whether guiding group sessions, supporting individuals through crisis, or helping build our next generation of leaders, I bring consistency, cultural sensitivity, and relational strength to all I do.
Eli Tulafono
Operations and Program Manager
About Me
With over three decades of experience in the service industry—spanning the Child Protection sector and now the Family Harm space—I have dedicated my life’s work to restoring whanau wellbeing by empowering fathers to heal, grow, and lead with integrity. My personal journey, marked by both hardship and transformation, has shaped a deep commitment to mentoring men who seek to break cycles of harm and rediscover their purpose as protectors, partners, and parents.
Leadership Through Lived Experience
Over the years, I have had the privilege of working alongside diverse communities, frontline practitioners, and whanau navigating complex challenges. Today, I lead a team of remarkable men—many of whom are graduates of our intervention programmes—each committed to walking alongside others on their own pathways to restoration. Together, we foster accountability, healing, and cultural reconnection.
Our approach is grounded in Tuakana-Teina values: a relational leadership model that honours the wisdom of lived experience while nurturing the growth of future leaders. Through our Train-the-Trainer strategy, we not only build capacity within our teams but also ensure the sustainability, authenticity, and scalability of our kaupapa.
Let’s Work Together
Whether you're a professional seeking to collaborate, a father ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery, or a community leader looking to strengthen local whānau responses—there is a place for you in this mahi.
Let’s connect, share insights, and co-create a future where families thrive, and men stand tall in their responsibility with love, strength, and courage.
Monty Valivaka
Senior Facilitator
Pepeha
Ko Rāmaroa te Maunga
Ko Hokianga te Moana
Ko Ngātokimatawhaorua te Waka
Ko Ngāpuhi te Iwi
Ko Ngāti Koro te Hapū
Ko Pākanae te Marae
Ko Meljane rāua ko John Valivaka ōku mātua
Ko Monty Valivaka tōku ingoa
Professional Profile
I am proudly Maori and Niuean, raised in the heart of South Auckland—a place that has shaped not only who I am, but how I serve. My whakapapa connects me to the whenua of Te Tai Tokerau and the ancestral strength of my Niuean heritage. I carry both lineages with pride and responsibility, weaving together cultural values that underpin every part of my journey.
Over the years, I have cultivated deep and meaningful relationships across the community. My life’s work is grounded in service—serving people, whanau, and communities through connection, compassion, and integrity. I am deeply committed to walking alongside others in their healing and transformation, offering not just tools and support, but genuine care and cultural safety.
Whanau and Personal Values
As a devoted husband and father, my whanau is at the core of my purpose. They are my motivation, my grounding force, and my reminder of what truly matters. The values I strive to live by—alofa, manaakitanga, tautua, and whanaungatanga—are not just words, but actions that shape the way I lead, support, and uplift others.
I believe transformation happens through trust, and trust is built through presence, humility, and consistency. Whether in one-on-one mentoring, group facilitation, or community engagement, I bring a relational and culturally anchored approach that honours each person’s story and potential.
Community Work and Leadership
With years of experience supporting men, rangatahi, and whanau through life’s toughest seasons, I have developed a reputation for being both streetwise and heart-led. I bring a calm strength and a steady presence into spaces that often require courage, truth-telling, and accountability.
My work is guided by the belief that true change begins with connection—when a person feels seen, heard, and valued. I have a passion for helping fathers reclaim their place within the whānau, not as distant figures, but as present, loving leaders who break cycles and build legacies.
Through my involvement with kaupapa like Fathers For Families, I contribute to culturally grounded, trauma-informed programmes that empower men to heal, grow, and lead. I am honoured to serve in spaces where lives are being transformed—from the inside out.