I am newly elected to Vice Chair and represent the Upper South Island on the NZFFCF Executive. I grew up in Upper Hutt, and am a secondary teacher by training. I have taught in Samoa, Papua New Guinea and in The Philippines, and then at Darfield High School in Canterbury for seven years. I created and implemented a very successful programme of learning for Year Nine and Ten boys known as the FLAMES programme – ‘Fostering Learning And Motivation in Education through Sport’ – at Darfield High, and this formed the basis of my doctoral thesis. I then worked in the Ministry of Education in Christchurch for three years as a Service Manager within Special Education, and since August 2007 and am the General Manager at Cholmondeley Children’s Home in Christchurch with 42 staff. Qualifications: PhD., M. Appl. Sci., BA., Dip. Tchg

I am passionate about making a difference for our children, and am keen to progress an increasing awareness of the crucial role of foster carers in New Zealand. We have conducted a great deal of research, both formally as a literature review and informally through discussions with key people throughout the country in both government and non-government agencies, which clearly shows that as a nation we CAN do this better. In fact, we NEED to do it better. And we know that one of the best ways to do this is by supporting those wonderful people who volunteer their services to look after children in their homes, and become foster carers. These special people need to be fully supported in, and recognised for, their very tough (yet hugely rewarding) work. I look forward to progressing the visions of NZFFCF during my time on the Executive.
 

Cultural Advisor

Bill Nathan
Contact email: bill.nathan@xtra.co.nz Telephone: (04) 232 2980
 

Bill and his wife, Donas, began in foster care in 1983. During that time they joined the Wellington Family and Foster Care Association and attended the first of many NZFFCF National Conferences in 1984.

They have eight grandchildren and are “grandparents” to five foster children. Bill is of Te Atiawa, Ngati Kahungunu and Ngai Tahu descent. Donas is from Opotiki and is Whakatohea and Te Whanau – Apanui. Both Bill and Donas have been involved in Maori cultural activities for many years and where appropriate some of the foster children have also been involved. This had the benefit of bringing them in touch not only with cultural activities but also a wider group of young people and other adults.

Upper North Island Regional Representative 

Nicholas has worked for Youth Horizons for 5 years in a number of positions. I n the last few years he has been working with the Auckland Fostercare Team, currently as the Programme Supervisor and work with Treatment Fostercare Caregivers in implementing treatment programmes for young people with severe behavioural and mental health issues. Nicholas is trained in a number of different models of Treatment Fostercare and has presented on this topic and worked with foster carers at conferences.

Nicholas is passionate about the work that caregivers do and the support that we provide them needs to be of a high quality. More and more foster carers only receive support in the middle of a crisis; he believes that they should be given ongoing support, supervision and training. Nicholas looks forward to working on the NZFFCF Executive to continue the development of the vision and values of the NZFFCF and to further strengthen the services provided to foster carers.

Central North Island Regional Representative
 Val Naylor
email: val.naylor@xtra.co.nz Telephone: 07 544 3297

I have just retired following 37 years working in the social work area for Child Youth & Family, the latter part of my career I became the full time CGLSW for the Tauranga site. This position enabled me to focus on recruiting, assessing, training and supporting caregivers. My prime goal was to work towards a ‘best practice model’ and part of this was placing a major emphasis on the support and training of caregivers. My natural family resides in England and I have lived in NZ for over 40 years.

I have established a large NZ family (wh�naunga tanga) that I support and vice versa. I have a role as Aunty Val to about 20 youngsters all at different ages and stages of development. I strongly support the position of family being the bedrock of our society. My early years of my career centered on working in the area of residential care which gave me some understanding of the role of caregivers and the challenge it presents.
I continue to be involved in the local Association in assisting to organize events, I remain involved in professionally supporting colleagues and maintain an interest in organizing on going caregiver training. I also support the ‘big picture’ that a national body representing the interest of caregivers is crucial to improving conditions and addressing issues of concern. The end result can only mean better outcomes for our youngsters in care.

Lower South Island Regional Representative 

Wendy Murdoch
Contact email: wendy.timeout@xtra.co.nz    Telephone: 03 214 9999

My care giving started 35 years ago when my husband and I had unmarried mothers. 23years ago I started my experience with Kinship care and have been providing long term care until last year; I continue to provide respite for my great niece and nephew. Now I provide some respite or emergency care for Child Youth and Family Services

I have with 4 stepchildren 2 natural children and 4 foster children (so mine, his and theirs).12 grandchildren, 3greatchildren and twins. I have lived in Greenhill’s for the last 25years on a lifestyle block.

Over the past ten years I have worked as a Manager of Timeout Carers Southland Trust this agency has grown considerably. I try and practice the balance of life, Wairua (spiritual) Tinana (physical ) Hinengaro (mental) Whanau(social).

I attend supervision and I am excited to see the NZFFCF is piloting a programme down here for supervision for foster carers. I believe I can achieve to promote NZFFCF to carers in the community. I already promote the National Training programme, 2 of my carers and I am doing the programme myself.

My Professional Qualifications: NZ certificate in Social Services Enrolled Nurse (22yrs practical)
Psychiatric Nursing for enrolled nurses by Otago Hospital Board.
NZ Certificate in Social Services
10 years Management Role for Timeout Carers Southland Trust 

 

Lower North Island Regional Representative - Vacant
Upper South Island Regional Representative - Vacant
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NZFFCF Patron - Judge David Carruthers

Judge Carruthers practised in Wellington before returning to practice law in his home town of Pahiatua. A move to Palmerston North and his own practice preceded this by being appointed a Family Court Judge and Youth Court Judge in Wellington in 1985. In 1995 Judge Carruthers was appointed Principal Youth Court Judge and in 2001 he was appointed as Chief District Court Judge, a position he held until his retirement in 2005. Presently Judge Carruthers is the Chairman of the New Zealand Parole Board.

The Judge has spoken at a large number of international and national conferences and has been an author of a number of papers presented in overseas seminars.  In 2002, he chaired the Ministerial Taskforce on Youth Offending.

Judge Carruthers was appointed Patron of the New Zealand Family and Foster Care Federation (Inc) in 2008.  He is an ardent supporter of the Federation in the crucial work it does in supporting foster carers in this country.  In his present work, he sees daily the results of poor parenting, and abandonment, neglect and the failure to engage in education.

Judge Carruthers was made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2005.

NZFFCF Kuia:   Ngahuia Donnell

Tony has just completed a 6 month project for OHF in the Hawke’s Bay managing and relocating their Hawke’s Bay office.

Tony lives in Nelson and is married to Christine, together they have 3 children (2 boys (Jude 20yrs and David 18yrs) and Lydia 12yrs.

Over the next 6months Tony will lead NZFFCF under the direction of the Executive Committee, continue to build on Gaylene’s excellent achievements, work with our Regional Staff strengthening the regions and re-establishing the National Office in Wellington.

NZFFCF Office Manager

Andeana Pilalis
Contact email: nzffcf.eo@xtra.co.nz    Telephone: 0800 69 33 23
PO Box 30 188
Lower Hutt 5040

Colin and I have 7 children and have fostered for Child Youth and Family for nearly six years. We have been able to offer emergency, respite, short term, long term and permanency for a number of children in that time.

I am the eldest of five children. My parents fostered through Barnardos so that makes me a second generation foster parent! I have a very close family and my collection of nieces and nephews is growing rapidly. I have worked as a teacher aide for just under three years, mainly working with children who have special needs.

I feel very excited about being included in re-establishing the National Office in Wellington. I look forward to working within a team of people who respect foster carers and what they do.

 
NZFFCF Financial Assistant

Denise Meuli
Contact email: nzffcf.eo@xtra.co.nz
Telephone: 0800 69 33 23
PO Box 30 188
Lower Hutt 5040

Denise was born in Hawera, South Taranaki and has lived and worked in Wellington for the past 24 years.  Denise and her husband Paul have two sons - Louis 10 and Ben 8.  Prior to having children she worked for State Insurance in their Finance team and then for Royal & Sun Alliance in the Investment Funds Management team gaining extensive experience in accounting practices and principles.

Since having children Denise has had two part-time roles with small local businesses.  She enjoys sport and the outdoors.  Denise is a keen netballer, tennis player and supporter of her son’s cricket, rugby and football. 

Denise says “I am excited and looking forward to joining the team at New Zealand Family and Foster Care Federation.”