Julie Meates is a New Zealand-born humanitarian endeavoring to bring more peace, kindness, and love into our world. Her career has been multifaceted and varied. For her, family has been important. She is married with three wonderful children and a wide, diverse, extended family.
Julie has a passion for education and health, starting her early career as a teacher. She has also qualified as a social worker, counselor and is now a barrister and solicitor, and is currently involved in post-graduate work in education and health. She is passionate about community wellbeing and has worked in a volunteer capacity in many roles – with the mantra and hope that kindness will be paid forward.
In 2002, she was the co-founder of the Fulfil A Dream Foundation with a vision of strong and happy families, strong and vibrant communities, and wise and visionary leadership – empowering individuals, families, and communities. Fulfil A Dream Foundation was fortunate to work with high-profile musicians, sportsmen, politicians, community, education, and health leaders. Julie was also the chairperson of a Maori learning centre (indigenous Kohanga reo). Julie is a 2-time Best Selling Author and a Producer on the Truth About Reading Documentary with DNA Films.
Currently, Julie is a volunteer with community law’s programme of community justice panels. The Community Panel process aims to repair the harm caused by the offender promptly, using restorative justice processes. She has been a volunteer on the United Nations executive in her Canterbury region as Board Secretary, and presently with the inception of Women of Hope Wake Up and Help Ourselves Trust Board.
She has been involved over the years with Women’s Refuge and several other NGO/charitable institute non-governmental organisations – COGS (Community Organisation Grants Scheme). She was vice president of the International Community Organisation (Wairarapa International Communities Incorporated) Society and was involved in community radio doing local, national, and international broadcasts. She has also worked with the homeless nationally and internationally.
Julie has been part of many community-led initiatives to strengthen communities in sometimes complex situations, weaving together storytelling and music, and empowering youth and community talent.
She has represented sport and has coached at high school, as well as being a physical education and health teacher and tutor, and she has further qualifications in design. In her high school, she was awarded best all-round person.
Julie Meates is a quiet leader, able to inspire, influence, coordinate and empower people to achieve desired goals. Julie is experienced in working in partnership with organisations, with local communities and individuals, to make a difference. She is empathetic, positive, non-judgmental, and kind, with an ability to relate to a wide range of people.