Mini-Profile
Renee Haitoua-Haiu is a New Zealand born Niuean/European New Zealander with a strong professional background in Youth Development. Since leaving school Renee has worked in Youth Development, predominately in South Auckland, in various roles at FLEP (Family Life Education Pasefika) and AW (Affirming Works); but also across Auckland, New Zealand, and overseas in a Special Needs School – London.
Her current role is as the Youthline Ltd Manukau Coordinator, Youth Development Worker and Face to Face Counsellor. To complement her professional experience she holds a Diploma of Counselling (awaiting audit in December 2008), along with a Pacific Counselling Certificate and Certificate in Domestic Violence.
Among many roles, Renee currently holds the CMDHB Youth Advisory Group, and the LotuMoui Games 08 Youth Steering Committee.
Renee also has experience in the television and performance industries.
She sang with ‘Fou Nature’ since 1998, where she worked on her first single ‘Samoana’. On returning from London in 2001, Renee rejoined ‘Fou Nature’ and became the lead Vocalist. Since then she worked on their last release ‘It’s our Party’ which included a video-clip release. In 2005 Renee decided to further develop her Television career and featured in the TV 2 Polynesian Festival Special, pieces for TV 1 Tangata Pasefika, as the presenter for TV 2’s Wannabes. In 2008 she joined TV 2 again to host the Niuean stage for the Polynesian Festival Special.
Renee loves this work and recognises it as another tool in being a positive role-model for young people.