Gavin & Michelle McConnell
We are the 'face' of Piringa, but behind us there is a team of people involved in many different capacities.
We are both Kiwis, who started off in professional careers and then went about applying those skills in a variety of international cross cultural situations over the best part of nearly 20 years. Along the way these opportunities have meant that we have lived and worked in India, Mongolia, Cyprus, and Thailand and from April 07 to Sept 09 we worked as Debriefers in France at an international debriefing centre called 'Le Rucher'. We saw the value of debriefing so much, we thought 'Why not bring it back to NZ?' – Hence Piringa!
We have also managed over these years to squeeze some study in - theology / counselling / ESL / development and have both completed training in becoming Spiritual Directors. As well as all this cross cultural experience we have also been associate pastors of a church in NZ for a stint.
Piringa is registered as a Charitable Trust and operated by a Board of Trustees. This brings accountability and good management. Also we are accountable to an external supervisor for our practice.
Our Location
Piringa is located at Algies Bay, 10 mins out of Warkworth on the beautiful Mahurangi Peninsula.
575A Mahurangi East Road
Algies Bay
Warkworth 0920
Auckland
Phone: 0210496848
Email: info@piringa.org.nz
Where to find us:
Piringa can be reached from central Auckland in 50 minutes (if no traffic hold ups!). Algies Bay is 10 minutes drive from Warkworth, which is on highway number one going north of Auckland. Algies Bay is situated just beyond Snells Beach on the Mahurangi Peninsula.
+ Getting to Piringa / Algies Bay by car:
As you head north on the motorway out of Auckland, you come to the motorway extension which is a toll road, when you are getting close to Orewa. The toll road is quicker and more direct than winding through Orewa. (The tolls can be paid on-line or by phone up to 5 days after you make the trip.) At the end of the toll road is a big Round-about.Follow the sign to Warkworth. At the third set of traffic lights, as you come into Warkworth, turn left and follow the sign to Snells Beach (Don't go into Warkworth Township itself unless you want to go to the Supermarket). Go through the intersection and after about 80 meters there is another turn off to the right with a big sign saying 'Sandspit, Snells Beach, Algies Bay and Martins Bay’. Take this road. This will lead you to Snells Beach. Carry on through Snells Beach settlement (Along Mahurangi East Road) and follow the signs to Algies Bay. Piringa is on this main road, leading out of Algies Bay. Our driveway is the first driveway on the left after you have passed Alexander Street (which is one of the streets that go down to Algies Bay). We are at 575A Mahurangi East Road. Piringa is the house straight ahead on the driveway (Shared with two other houses)
+ Getting to Piringa / Algies Bay by Air / Bus:
If arriving via Auckland Airport, you will need to catch the Skydrive Airport Express into the city which leaves every 30 minutes during the day (approximately) and operates 24hours a day. (You can buy a ticket on the bus or book ahead and the ticket is transferable to the next bus if your flight is delayed) You will then have to catch an 'Intercity' ( www.intercity.co.nz )bus from Auckland central (the same bus station that you arrive at - Sky City) to Warkworth – about 1 hour duration. You will need to book this bus well ahead of time,online. We will come and pick you up from the bus station and you can do some shopping for food ( in Warkworth)on the way back to Piringa. There are a number of buses each day that go to Whangarei. They all come via Warkworth.
