Team
Izadine Ahmat Abdallah
Programme Leader
Izadine started out at Mixit as a shy and unconfident teenager, but he was determined to find positive ways to grow. He found his stride, first as a youth leader and then as an Alumni, inspiring others like him. In 2020, he completed his film studies at the School of Audio Engineering and in 2023 he earned a diploma in Entrepreneurship from AUT. He is now the Programmes Leader at Mixit taking charge of the core programmes on Saturdays. Izadine loves the Mixit community, appreciating the support and care they provide for young people through creative outlets. He's particularly passionate about spoken word poetry and always up for a dance. When he's not with Mixit, you'll find him busy designing clothes, editing and filming videos, and screen printing.
Wendy Preston MNZM
Producer
Wendy has over 40 years of professional involvement as a choreographer, director, tutor, performer and artistic producer/manager. She has worked extensively with young people on performance projects throughout her career, focusing on cross-cultural and inter-disciplinary creative interaction. Wendy has collaborated with leading practitioners across the performing arts fields, mentors emerging performers and teaches at tertiary level. She has also worked on marae, in schools, community halls, theatres, and film and television, both in New Zealand and Internationally. She passionately believes in the power of creativity to make significant changes in peoples lives and grow stronger communities.
Kaviesha Abeysinghe-Perera
Director
Kaviesha first joined Mixit in 2012 as a teen and has since grown through multiple leadership roles, including Youth Leader, Alumni member, trustee, Outreach Leader, and now Director. Originally from Sri Lanka, she has a background in science and education, having taught at primary schools and served as a Within School Coach. As Director, Kaviesha is now working alongside Wendy through a leadership succession pathway, focused on continuing to empower young people, strengthen community partnerships, and support the Programme Leader, Youth Leadership Programme, and Alumni squad at Mixit.
Kaye Reihana
Financial Leader
Kaye comes from a whānau steeped in the arts, so it’s a natural connect for her to work in areas of creativity. She brings an innovative approach to logical thinking, systems and processes, to gain the greatest value from available funds. Kaye’s been an integral part of many organisations with a creative edge – particularly in the areas of architectural, urban, landscape and most recently, graphic design. She has also worked within education and for festivals in business management and financial roles. Currently she’s embarking on a journey to reclaim Te Reo Māori, alongside three generations of her whānau. Kaye is inspired by people – learning about one another and finding ways to bring out the best in ourselves. When she’s not running spreadsheets and numbers, her happy place is camping at the beach, with a fishing rod not far from her hand.
Padma Naidu
Neville Kay Mixit Scholarship Leader
Padma is of Fijian Indian heritage and has worked with new migrants for over three plus decades. She brings a depth of experience form a diverse range of disciplines including art, design, science and education. Formally trained as an architect and educator, she runs her own creative practice undertaking projects where creativity, learning, the environment, and personal growth intersect. She has also worked with tertiary institutions, schools, leading art organisations and festivals, where young people are a primary focus. An artist herself, she has exhibited locally and internationally and is passionate about exploring different art forms to inform her own making and way of being.
