Meet Our Team
Caring Families Aotearoa is here to support families who open their homes and hearts to tamariki (children) and rangitahi (young people) in need of care and protection.
Regional Coordinators
We also have a dedicated team of Regional Coordinators covering the country in ten regions. Our Regional Coordinators provide support and training to members.
Leadership Team
We are led by a group of nine who form the Leadership Team. This team is jointly responsible for progressing the vision and for all strategic, financial, legal, operational and reputational matters.
Our Governors
We are governed by eight dedicated board members. They decide the strategic direction for Caring Families Aotearoa, ensuring that care families are enabled, supported and trained to provide safe and nurturing homes.
Leadership Team
Linda Surtees MNZM
About Linda Surtees
She has also been involved in developing the new National Care Standards and establishing the Extraordinary Care Package for children in Permanent or Whanau Care. She continues today as Chair of the Extraordinary Care Fund Panel. In 2019 Linda received an MNZM in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for her contribution to children and the state.
Nyvonne Krause
Ph: 00 281 5609
Mob : 027 501 0395
About Nyvonne Krause
Ko Tairua te Awa
Ko Tainui, Te Aupouri me Maniapoto ngā Iwi
Ko Marutūahu te tangata
Ko Ngati Rautao te hapuu
Ko Ōturu te Marae
Ko Amotahi Pouaka raua Ko Waiwera Tuaea ōku tupuna
Ko Reremoana tōku whaea
Ko Nyvonne tōku ingoa
My caregiver journey started when my husband and I took on a voluntary role for Hato Petera College as Mātua Atawhai. We then accepted the challenge of Family Home Parents for Child Youth & Family. Whanau took us to Perth where we worked as Professional Therapeutic Caregivers for an NGO and where I developed a true understanding of therapeutic parenting by attending every course I could. On my return to Aotearoa, I attended a DDP workshop where pennies dropped like rain for me. PACE is a natural way of being that requires a simple concept, connection, and connection is a feeling. And you can’t fake feelings.
Samantha Lenik
About Samantha Lenik
Vacant
Care Support Manager
Ph: 0800 693 323
Mob:
Megan Fitzgibbon
About Megan Fitzgibbon
Di Marshall
About Di Marshall
Jenni Anderson
About Jenni Anderson
Jenni has raised significant sums for many national charities, including Stroke Foundation, Diabetes New Zealand and Victim Support.
She has a passion to see the vulnerable groups within our community supported to thrive. She also wishes to see the kind-hearted people working with these groups well-supported and adequately resourced to do the incredible work that they do.
Sally Moffatt
About Sally Moffatt
Rob Surtees
About Rob Surtees
Regional Coordinators Team
RuruHana (Leanne) Brownie
Upper North
Cape Reinga down to bottom of North Head.
Ph: 09 283 9483
Mob: 027 566 0294
About RuruHana
Ko Ngati Pukenga, ko Ngapuhi nui tonu, ko Kotīmana (Scots) ahau
No Whangārei ki Te Tai Tokerau
My husband Dennis and I were respite carers through Oranga Tamariki for 12 years.
I’ve lived and worked in Whangārei most my life.
We have five Tamariki and nine Mokopuna who we don’t see often enough!
Christie McGiven
About Christie
Christie has a varied not-for-profit background in learning support, group facilitation, volunteer and operational management. She has worked across education, family support and the disability sector for the past eight years. Christie joined the team in 2021 and enjoys working collaboratively to support caregivers and their whānau to feel more connected, confident and resourced.
Nu'umoe Collins
About Nu'umoe
Christine Frost
About Christine
James Uri
About James
To give you a little bit of background about me, I am Cook Island Māori, a Whānau foster parent of four beautiful children that we have had for six years. This means I’m a father of 13 children, with ten still at home.
I would like to become more invested with the caregiving community; meeting you, our wonderful foster/whānau/kin caregivers, be it through phone calls or face to face meetings, and supporting you. I am on this journey just like you.
Ebony Phillips
Ph: 0800 693 323
Mob: 027 501 0394
About
Denise Green
About Denise
Jared Paranihi
About Jared
I also study child and family psychology and serve as chair of two school boards of trustees. We have amazing caregivers in our region and I look forward to working alongside you.
Caroline Graetz
About Caroline
I was born in Berlin, Germany, however, on my travels, I fell in love with the people and culture of New Zealand. So much so that I have visited and worked in New Zealand multiple times, one of these times as a Social Worker at the Canterbury Men’s Centre in Christchurch.
Some other facts about me are that I love dogs and being outdoors – snowboarding, and hiking in the Canterbury Hills.
I hope my wealth of local and international experience can support you, should you need it. I look forward to meeting you all.