Melissa was born and raised in Hastings. She finished High School in Palmerston North. As an adult she moved to Napier and this is where she calls home.

What Melissa likes most about her role here at Te Kupenga Hauora Ahuriri is she can support all kaimahi to be able to do their mahi in the wider community.

Outside of mahi Melissa enjoys spending with her whanau around the kitchen table. It brings her great joy.

When Melissa was asked "What has been her great achievement in life so far?" Her response was "I'm proud of not letting circumstances hold me back, making and reaching goals to enrich the lives of my whanau for the generations to come."

Melissa has a bachelor in Business Studies - Majoring in Accounting which she gained while working and raising a whanau. "Anything is achievable - if you put your mind into it"