40 plus years and our team today
Comcol New Zealand
Kia ora, Talofa lava.
"Creating better lives for our community"
Celebrating Comcol’s 40 plus years – the brief story of our past and present
Comcol NZ began in 1983 as a grassroots response to rising unemployment in North Canterbury. Founded by Tony Hall, the organisation delivered its first horticulture and bee‑keeping courses from a small shed at Rangiora High School, a pioneering model of foundation‑level training in New Zealand.
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Comcol expanded nationwide, establishing sites in Auckland and across the South Island. In 2001, the organisation refocused on community‑based education, becoming Community Colleges New Zealand and strengthening its commitment to accessible learning for rangatahi. Charitable status was awarded in 2004 (CC10303). Over the next two decades, Comcol delivered Youth Guarantee programmes and, in 2012, commenced MSD’s Youth Service, supporting thousands of young people into education, employment, and independence. In 2021, Comcol suspended the delivery of Youth Guarantee.
In recent years, Comcol has continued to evolve to meet community needs. Today, we deliver MSD’s Youth Service across Southland, Otago, Central Lakes, Waitaki, South Canterbury, Christchurch, and North Canterbury. In addition, the North Canterbury campus delivers specialised programmes such as GROW (He Poutama Rangatahi), FLIP (Work Readiness Support Service), and a suite of equine, wellbeing, education and employment pathway programmes. We have re‑established TEC Youth Guarantee delivery through LEAP (Learning for Environmental Awareness and Personal Success), launched in 2025, and have commenced a Hospitality programme in July 2026. Our Living Laboratory is woven into the delivery of all of our youth education, employment and wellbeing programmes.
Across four decades, Comcol has remained steadfast in its purpose: empowering rangatahi, strengthening communities, and providing practical, life‑changing learning opportunities that create better futures.
Senior Leadership Team
Kate O’Connor — Chief Executive
Kate is Comcol’s chief executive, appointed in April 2024 following her earlier appointment as general manager in May 2022. Her leadership is highly regarded across the organisation, and her drive and passion for creating better lives for our community are evident in everything she does. Kate is the energetic force implementing Comcol’s vision and strategic direction.
Kate draws on more than 20 years of experience in Comcol’s adventure‑based learning and equine foundation education programmes, alongside her capable and dedicated leadership.
Tony Hall, CNZM — Founding Director & Board Chair
Tony has led Comcol since its inception in 1982, shaping the organisation’s vision and championing equitable education pathways for foundation learners across New Zealand. A respected advocate at both local and central government levels, Tony has contributed extensively to national education and sport through voluntary governance roles, including the NZQA Board, TEAC, TEC, CORE Education, Lincoln University, University of Canterbury, Partnership of Excellence Life Sciences, Massey Lincoln and Agricultural Trust, New Zealand Olympic Committee, High Performance Sport New Zealand, Adaptive Snow Sports, Sport Canterbury, North Canterbury Sport & Recreation Trust, and Tātai Whetū Waitaha.
Andrea Armstrong — Canterbury Regional Manager
Andrea joined Comcol in 1993, beginning her career as an administrator before progressing into senior leadership. She now oversees Youth Service delivery across South Canterbury, Waitaki, and Christchurch, bringing more than three decades of organisational knowledge and community commitment to her role.
Sarah Halliday — Southern Regional Manager
Sarah joined Comcol in 2023 and leads Youth Service delivery across Southland, Otago, and the Central Lakes region. Her team operates from offices in Dunedin and Invercargill, ensuring rangatahi receive consistent, high‑quality support throughout the lower South Island.
Michelle Weineck — Service Centre Manager
Michelle has dedicated 16 years to Comcol and is an experienced leader in organisational operations. Working closely with Kate, she manages the Service Centre team and oversees Comcol’s operational and financial systems, staff support functions, and external contractual and legal obligations.
Comcol NZ began in 1983 as a grassroots response to rising unemployment in North Canterbury. Founded by Tony Hall, the organisation delivered its first horticulture and bee‑keeping courses from a small shed at Rangiora High School, a pioneering model of foundation‑level training in New Zealand.
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Comcol expanded nationwide, establishing sites in Auckland and across the South Island. In 2001, the organisation refocused on community‑based education, becoming Community Colleges New Zealand and strengthening its commitment to accessible learning for rangatahi. Charitable status was awarded in 2004 (CC10303). Over the next two decades, Comcol delivered Youth Guarantee programmes and, in 2012, commenced MSD’s Youth Service, supporting thousands of young people into education, employment, and independence. In 2021, Comcol suspended the delivery of Youth Guarantee.
In recent years, Comcol has continued to evolve to meet community needs. Today, we deliver MSD’s Youth Service across Southland, Otago, Central Lakes, Waitaki, South Canterbury, Christchurch, and North Canterbury. In addition, the North Canterbury campus delivers specialised programmes such as GROW (He Poutama Rangatahi), FLIP (Work Readiness Support Service), and a suite of equine, wellbeing, education and employment pathway programmes. We have re‑established TEC Youth Guarantee delivery through LEAP (Learning for Environmental Awareness and Personal Success), launched in 2025, and have commenced a Hospitality programme in July 2026. Our Living Laboratory is woven into the delivery of all of our youth education, employment and wellbeing programmes.
Across four decades, Comcol has remained steadfast in its purpose: empowering rangatahi, strengthening communities, and providing practical, life‑changing learning opportunities that create better futures.
Senior Leadership Team
Kate O’Connor — Chief Executive
Kate is Comcol’s chief executive, appointed in April 2024 following her earlier appointment as general manager in May 2022. Her leadership is highly regarded across the organisation, and her drive and passion for creating better lives for our community are evident in everything she does. Kate is the energetic force implementing Comcol’s vision and strategic direction.
Kate draws on more than 20 years of experience in Comcol’s adventure‑based learning and equine foundation education programmes, alongside her capable and dedicated leadership.
Tony Hall, CNZM — Founding Director & Board Chair
Tony has led Comcol since its inception in 1982, shaping the organisation’s vision and championing equitable education pathways for foundation learners across New Zealand. A respected advocate at both local and central government levels, Tony has contributed extensively to national education and sport through voluntary governance roles, including the NZQA Board, TEAC, TEC, CORE Education, Lincoln University, University of Canterbury, Partnership of Excellence Life Sciences, Massey Lincoln and Agricultural Trust, New Zealand Olympic Committee, High Performance Sport New Zealand, Adaptive Snow Sports, Sport Canterbury, North Canterbury Sport & Recreation Trust, and Tātai Whetū Waitaha.
Andrea Armstrong — Canterbury Regional Manager
Andrea joined Comcol in 1993, beginning her career as an administrator before progressing into senior leadership. She now oversees Youth Service delivery across South Canterbury, Waitaki, and Christchurch, bringing more than three decades of organisational knowledge and community commitment to her role.
Sarah Halliday — Southern Regional Manager
Sarah joined Comcol in 2023 and leads Youth Service delivery across Southland, Otago, and the Central Lakes region. Her team operates from offices in Dunedin and Invercargill, ensuring rangatahi receive consistent, high‑quality support throughout the lower South Island.
Michelle Weineck — Service Centre Manager
Michelle has dedicated 16 years to Comcol and is an experienced leader in organisational operations. Working closely with Kate, she manages the Service Centre team and oversees Comcol’s operational and financial systems, staff support functions, and external contractual and legal obligations.
"We’ve helped thousands of rangatahi gain qualifications, life skills and confidence through our practical hands-on mahi and awesome dedicated staff"
Kate O'Connor
General Manager
Kate O'Connor
General Manager
Mission, Vision & Values
Our mission is to provide an environment that creates opportunities for success in education, employment, wellbeing, and sustainability.
Our vision is creating better lives for our community.
Our values guide how we behave and act as we provide a nurturing environment to guide rangatahi on a positive pathway in education, employment and personal wellbeing.
We recognise the diversity of each other and our communities, and we all have something to share and learn from each other. We care about everyone's health and happiness, and ensuring sustainability for future generations.
Our vision is creating better lives for our community.
Our values guide how we behave and act as we provide a nurturing environment to guide rangatahi on a positive pathway in education, employment and personal wellbeing.
We recognise the diversity of each other and our communities, and we all have something to share and learn from each other. We care about everyone's health and happiness, and ensuring sustainability for future generations.
“People first….the staff and rangatahi and having the ability to be the reason change happens. Making a positive difference in people’s lives. We don’t just talk about stuff, we get stuck in and get it done.”
Comcol Team Leader
