About Us

Empowering People Through Meaningful Employment

At Catapult Employment Services Trust, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to participate in paid employment — including people living with disabilities, health conditions, or barriers to work. This belief has guided us since 2003, when our founder, Kevin Blogg, began supporting job seekers from the boot of his car.

Today, Catapult is a thriving social enterprise recognised for its positive impact on the Canterbury community. In 2016, we were proud to receive the Champion Charity Small Enterprise Award at the Champion Canterbury Business Awards — a testament to the value of the work we do every day.

Our Mission

Inspiring and Supporting People Into Sustainable Employment

Our mission is to inspire and assist Cantabrians who face challenges in their career paths. We provide tailored employment services, professional career guidance, and ongoing social support to help people build confidence, find meaningful work, and thrive in the workplace.

Our Vision

Stronger Communities Through Employment

Our vision is to strengthen the social and economic well-being of Cantabrians by helping people access and sustain paid employment. We believe that when people are supported into fulfilling work, families, businesses, and communities become stronger.

From individuals overcoming personal barriers to local employers growing their teams, the impact of our work stretches far beyond job placement.

Read Our Blog

Our Founder

Kevin Blogg

MNZM | Founder

Catapult’s founder, Kevin Blogg was an extraordinary man. His vision was that people with a health issue or disability have the opportunity to participate in paid employment, and he put that vision into practice in 2003 when he founded Catapult Employment Services Trust. Since then Catapult has assisted hundreds of Cantabrians towards a better life through having paid employment.

Kev led by example, his huge empathy for a diverse range of people showing through in his approach to this work. When he retired as director 2014 he continued to work part time as well as continuing to mentor staff. He was a great mentor, guide and friend to staff, sharing many stories of the successes he’d achieved with clients over the years.

When he fully retired in 2017, Kev accepted the position of Patron for Catapult and in this role he continued supporting Catapult, offering wise advice and guidance.

Kev was a true friend and mentor to our staff. His door was always open to everyone even if it was just for some time out listening to his blues music. Kev’s interest in Catapult never waned and he remained justifiably proud of it in his retirement.

Kev’s vision, put in practice, is providing a vital service to the whole community and his legacy lives on with the valuable work that Catapult Employment Services continue to do.

Meet The Team

Meet the dedicated team behind Catapult. We’re passionate about helping people build confidence, find meaningful work, and thrive in their careers.

Vicky, our Office Manager, is the welcoming face of Catapult. As a working mum, she understands the juggle of balancing family life with work and brings a practical, compassionate approach to supporting others. Originally from the Chatham Islands, Vicky whakapapa to Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri, Ngāi Tahu and Moriori, and is proud of her strong connections to her whānau, community and heritage. Her down-to-earth nature and genuine care for people help create a warm and welcoming environment for everyone who walks through Catapult’s doors.

Meet Vicky

Diversity and a broad experience throughout Mark’s life and career, coupled with a desire to see others thrive, equip him for his role as an employment consultant. Mark has an extensive background in heavy industry/engineering, business, teaching, community support, mentoring, peer support and pastoral care. Mark is multi-disciplined with a degree in Engineering and diploma’s in Theology and Career Development and is a member of the Career Development Association of New Zealand and tutors in adult literacy. Born and bred in Christchurch, Mark is an avid fisherman, loves music, playing percussion and drums, dabbles with his guitar, tinkers in his workshop and rides his motorbike.

Working in the people-helping industry for 23 years, Ruth comes to Catapult passionate about supporting people to flourish. She has a background in health but has worked in several different roles over the years, which gives her unique insight into the challenges around finding work that is a good fit. Ruth has lived in a number of different locations around New Zealand but has called Christchurch home for the last 14 years and enjoys the outdoors and cultural opportunities available for herself and family that it offers.

Flynn is the newest employment consultant at Catapult. Originally from Taranaki, he recently moved to Ōtautahi after four years studying in Dunedin, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Psychology. Flynn understands the impact of mental health on employment and takes a warm, people-focused approach, shaped by his background in sexual harm reduction and peer support. He is driven by seeing jobseekers find a role that feels right for them and setting them up with the tools and confidence they need for the future. Outside of work, Flynn enjoys photography, watching films, growing bonsai trees, and going on long drives.

As a disabled working mum, Charlotte has a keen understanding of the pressures on disabled jobseekers and she is very passionate about helping others find the right role for them and fostering understanding and inclusivity with employers. Although originally from the UK, she went to high school and university in Aotearoa, graduating with a BA in English Lit in 2011 from UC. She returned to the UK after finishing her degree but came back to Christchurch in 2019.

Meet Our Trust Board

Catapult’s Trust Board is made up of a range of people from various backgrounds and professions. The board membership emphasises Catapult’s ideal of setting itself alongside other local progressive businesses. Each board member brings their own expertise to the board and Catapult appreciates the support from the businesses they represent.

Rodney retired from Full Time employment in late 2022 having spent 40years in various management roles. Rod always found places for people needing a helping hand to find meaningful employment when possible. The difference a job made to peoples lives being readily apparent.
Rod now spends his time tending to a horticultural block, travel, reading etc. Rod has been on the board since 2010 and was elected the chairperson in 2013.

After many years of working in various vocations, either full time or part time, "Jan has managed to retire early and focus on her passion of supporting the “Not for Profit” sector. She previously worked part time providing office management duties for a Plumbing and Gas Fitting company. This position followed time being employed in HR and H&S and has 15 years’ experience in governance, five of those as board chair and another 4 years as board member in another “not-for-profit sector. Jan has a wide background in marketing and administration, working with both small and large teams in the retail, trade and tourism industries. Jan’s previous experience as an Executive Assistant in the education sector brings an extensive range of organisational skills to the board. Jan has worked with her husband’s company in Fiji and Tonga, undertaking civil construction projects and enjoys biking, hiking, indoor netball and travelling the world."

Matthew is a senior manager at Hammond and Moir – Chartered Accountants, Te Awamutu. He has over 11 years of both domestic and international experience recently as a Senior Manager at KPMG. He has worked across a broad range of industries focusing on Dairy and Agri-Business, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Māori Sector, Local Government and not-for-profits. He is a qualified chartered accountant and brings a focus of sound financial governance to the Board.

Ali has thirty years’ experience in the employment and careers industries, and managed Catapult for three years, during which time she led the organisation to win the Champion Charity (Small Enterprise) in the Champion Canterbury Business Awards 2016. She holds a BA in Psychology, Diploma in Career Development and a Graduate Diploma in Not-for-Profit Management. She is the author of six books on flax weaving, is currently writing the seventh, and enjoys weaving with a local weaving group, walking, cycling, camping and world travel. Ali has a keen interest in ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to participate in paid employment.

With a Political Science and Sociology degree from the University of Canterbury, Mimi integrates her academic knowledge with hands-on marketing experience into her position. Her professional journey includes roles such as Marketing Executive, Sales and Marketing Manager and Consumer Collecting Specialist within diverse sectors including FMCG, Logistics and Dietary Supplements. Mimi is committed to positive change and sustainability, with a passion for creating a meaningful impact and promoting inclusivity across all aspects of life.

Jane is an experienced executive leader with a strong track record of guiding organisations through growth, transformation and strategic change across technology and professional services sectors. She has led teams delivering complex products and services in international markets, bringing expertise in strategy, governance, customer outcomes and organisational development. Jane is passionate about helping people realise their potential and is a strong advocate for creating fair and equitable opportunities for all.

Vanessa has two adult daughters and currently works full-time as Lending Manager for a Mortgage Adviser. Throughout her career, she has held a variety of roles across the finance, health and wellness, and workplace education sectors, giving her a broad range of knowledge and experience.
She has volunteered in different organisations and has developed a strong commitment to supporting others and helping people achieve their goals.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and being outdoors, particularly mountain biking and hiking.
Vanessa is passionate about using her skills, experience, and enthusiasm to make a positive contribution, supporting both the organisation and its clients to achieve ongoing success.