About Us

Empowering Aotearoa’s Workforce

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About Us

Our Story / Who We Are

Our Story

Founded over 20 years ago, Sapphire Consultants was created to meet the real-world training needs of jobseekers, career changers, and young people across Aotearoa.

We believe in the power of education to transform lives. That’s why we’ve built a trusted reputation for delivering accessible, outcomes-focused training—supporting thousands of learners to gain valuable skills and move confidently into work.

We’re especially proud of our strong relationships with MSD, Māori and Pasifika communities, and regional employers. Whether you’re stepping into the workforce for the first time or upskilling for a new path, we’re here to support your journey.

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Why to enroll?

Our Mission & Values

Our Mission:
To deliver high-impact, inclusive training that empowers people to thrive in work and life.

Manaakitanga – We lead with respect, kindness, and care for all learners.
Empowerment – We build confidence through education, giving people tools to succeed.
Practicality – We focus on real-world skills and certifications that lead directly to jobs.
Inclusion – Our doors are open to everyone—no matter your background, experience, or challenges.
Trust – We work closely with funders, providers, and communities to create lasting impact.

BEN KINGI

Ngati Porou, Ngai Tuhoe | Owner, Trainer and Consultant

Ben is an energetic and passionate Trainer and Educator. He is our qualified Instructor of Security and Hospitality training and also holds a Level 5 Qualification in Adult Literacy and Numeracy.

Our students thoroughly enjoy his interactive and engaging teaching style and his extensive knowledge of his topics.

LESLEY MAXWELL

Ngāitai, Rongowhakaata
Owner, Trainer and Consultant

Lesley is a highly experienced trainer who delivers a range of short courses in areas such as Health and Safety, Employment Skills, CV Preparation, Communication Skills, and Work Ethics.

She plays a key role in building and maintaining our business relationships, and is well respected for the depth of knowledge and passion she brings to every training session.

Lesley is a qualified Adult Educator and Workplace Assessor.

TONE TE AHURU

Ngati Tuwharetoa, Ngati Hikairo | Training Coordinator

If you’ve ever wondered who’s behind the friendly voice on our Freephone, meet Tone — our Training Coordinator extraordinaire. He manages many of our training relationships and liaises with all our valued clients.

Tone handles course bookings, oversees training day operations, and ensures everything runs smoothly. He’s a qualified Adult Educator and Assessor — and most importantly, the mastermind behind our much-loved course catering!

TAYLA LANE

Office Manager

After graduating Victoria University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Philosophy, Tayla joined the Sapphire team as our new office star in early 2020.

Tayla takes care of much of our day-to-day administration to make sure things run as smoothly as possible. Her fun personality and youthful energy helped her to fit easily into our vibrant team.

Ben Jr Kingi

Ben Jr plays a key role in the Sapphire Consultants team, delivering engaging Certificate of Approval (COA) training across Aotearoa. From Northland to Southland, he travels the country to equip learners with the practical skills and confidence they need to step into the security industry.

Alongside his work in the training room, Ben Jr brings fresh energy to Sapphire’s online presence, driving social media growth and helping more people discover what we offer. He’s also the go-to guy for our driving simulator sessions, helping learners prepare for real-world driving tests in a supportive, tech-savvy environment.

Known for his adaptability, down-to-earth approach, and creative input behind the scenes, Ben Jr wears many hats — and wears them well.

Rachel Kingi

Employment Consultant

Moana brings over 10 years of experience in Human Resources across both the corporate and public sectors. She also holds a degree in Psychology and has developed a broad skill set in recruitment, caseload management, employment skill development, CV preparation, personal coaching, and pastoral care.

Before joining Sapphire, Moana had a successful HR career with the NZ Ministry of Defence. She is also a talented sportswoman and a proud mother of two beautiful children.