News of a childhood heart condition can turn a family’s life upside down. But no one has to face that journey alone. We walk alongside families through diagnosis and treatment, offering support, knowledge and guidance. We make sure that our heart families have this support freely available during hospital stays and at home in the community.
Our family support team are dedicated to being there for everyone who navigates a heart journey. Often, families are faced with separation, loneliness, isolation, financial hardship, stress and uncertainty about the future. Our team of trained, passionate family support taituarā are based around Aotearoa NZ, so families are supported when and where they need it most.
We Are Here For Heart Families
We Are Here For Heart Families
We Are Here For Heart Families
We Are Here For Heart Families
We Are Here For Heart Families
We Are Here For Heart Families
For over 40 years, we have worked tirelessly to deliver quality support, information, connection and hope to our heart families.
Strategic Plan
We are guided by an ambitious strategy that provides the roadmap for the future of Heart Kids NZ.
Annual Report 2022
2022 was a year of unrelenting focus on Heart Kids NZ Tamariki Manawa Māia vision and mission – a “vision-first mindset”.
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Meet Our Team
What will I do for a heart kid today? This is the question that guides us every day.
No matter if it’s a board member, family support taituarā, fundraiser, senior leader or administrator, we are all clear on our purpose of walking alongside families as they navigate their lifelong heart journeys.
Board

Donna Jujnovich
Member Representative (Appointed), Board Chair

Robyn Wickenden
Member Representative (Upper North)

Ashlee McCormick
Member Representative (Upper North)

Neven Harland
Member Representative (Central North)

Steve Abley
Member Representative (Upper South)

James Lawler
Member Representative (Lower North)

Arna Craig
Member Representative (Lower South)

Katie McRae
Co-opted Member

Steve Abley
Member Representative (Upper South)

Steve Abley
Member Representative (Upper South)

Steve Abley
Member Representative (Upper South)
Senior Leadership Team

Dr Ruth Gorinski
Chief Executive

Sarah Morgan
Head of Family Support

Denise Kitto
Head of Operations

Robyn Lyall
Practice Lead
Family Support Team

Karen Whelan
Practice Lead

Ashley Mills
Hospital Family Support

Amy Laverock
Hospital Family Support

Waina Coyne
Family Support (Northland)

Montee Stehlin
Family Support (South Auckland)

Elaine Paki
Family Support (Waikato)

Graham Milne
Family Support (Waikato)

Jo Gunn
Family Support (Bay of Plenty)

Lisa Fraser
Family Support (South Canterbury)

Teresa Walker
Family Support (Rotorua)

Narelle Frampton
Family Support (Taranaki)

Alex Atkins
Family Support (Manawatū/Whanganui)

Rebecca McEwen
Family Support (Wellington)

Dee Harris
Family Support (Wellington)

Rebecca Ellis
Family Support (Nelson/Marlborough)

Claire Sword
Family Support (Canterbury)

Kat Matheson
Family Support (Canterbury)

Leeann Morton
Family Support (Central Otago)

Michael Bowey
Heart Adult Support

Hannah Akitt
Family Support (Otago)

Name
Role

Name
Role
Operations & Support Services Team

Veebha Jeram-Patel
Administrator

Rebecca Coburn
Support Services (Auckland)

Karla Holloway
Support Services (Hawke’s Bay)

Amanda Findsen-Delaney
Support Services (Waikato)

Angela Haddon
Support Services (Wellington)

Hanna Griffin
Support Services (Otago)
Engagement & Fundraising Team

Alanah Gilder
Corporate Relationships Lead

Barbara Chapman
Engagement Specialist

Laurel Ketel
Communications Advisor

Georgia Woodhouse
Fundraising Coordinator