Our Team

I come from a background in business and have had a successful career working in banking and corporate settings in Europe. Upon stepping back from that, I then got stuck into community work, bringing my business skills to a community garden trust in Oamaru. My combination of managerial know-how and my passion for helping people is what drives me to contribute to the Neighbourhood Trust community. I love the duality of managing and helping people, and how that helps me continue to be a better person every day. 

A lot of the time, especially when I’m in a managing position, I try to encourage people and help them to develop and improve. When I see them learning new skills, having more confidence, and seeing their mental health improving, it actually helps my mental health to improve. 

Kia ora, 

My name is Don and I am a Community Development Worker here at the Neighbourhood Trust.  I’m involved in kai support; overseeing the creation of the Mairehau Neighbourhood Garden; supporting men; and co-facilitating a Dads parenting course called Game On!  I love the example of the monarch butterfly – one that speaks of transformation.  We all have things in life that bring challenges and limitations (like a caterpillar that can’t fly), but there’s always hope and in my role I get to encourage and support people as they strive for their own personal transformation.  

Kia ora,

I’m Sarah and I’m the Operations Manager at the Neighbourhood Trust. I like seeing the potential in others and helping people meet their goals. I have a very diverse role within the trust that means that no two days are the same. I oversee the distribution of Kai into the community, help community members to create CVs to be able to seek employment, and run a fun and social Strength and Balance for people over 60s. When I am not working, I will either be at a sports event or playing board games. 

My name is Angela, I joined Neighbourhood Trust team (NHT) part time, in 2011 in a support worker role. This role grew to include OSCAR administration and finance. In 2018 I moved into the role of financial administrator which I thoroughly enjoy. My work varies from cash flow reporting, improving and maintaining financial processes to payroll and board reports. 

I enjoy being part of our community in which I work; from the Golden Oldies, community development and OSCAR programmes to Kai Boxes and other new evolving initiatives. 

My name is Perdita, and I work as a counsellor with the NHT at Mairehau Primary School. I moved to NZ with my family from Scotland 14 years ago, and love living in Christchurch. I have worked with children in various roles for most of my working life, and am passionate about working with children and whanau to work through life’s challenges together.  

As the OSCAR Manager, I set up and run the programmes that we deliver. I have worked with children for the last 20 years and love the energy that children have. I like creating a great environment to have fun, whilst passing on some helpful life skills.  Our children are our greatest asset and it is a privilege to be able part of a child’s upbringing. 

The thing I like most about working in our team is the family feel of our programme and the relationships that we foster with each of our talented children.  Oscar gives us the chance to feed into the children of many families and get to encourage them through their lives as we get to know both them and their families. 

My role at NHT is to support the Mairehau community through counselling. Whilst working predominantly with adults, my belief is the whole family gets the benefit!  

 I love the Maori concept of Te Whare Tapa Whā which understands health as being like the walls and roof of a house, representing the physical, the spiritual, the family, and mental dimensions of life. If any of these are shaky, the whole structure is put under strain. 

Prior to re-training as a counsellor, I was involved in education for over 30 years. I believe everyone has infinite worth, whatever their background, and consider it a privilege to journey with those brave enough to share their stories of pain and distress. Together we are stronger! 

Originally from the UK, I have called Christchurch home since 2003. I love reading, travelling, movies and family time. 

I am passionate about helping students from other countries to achieve their goals through improving their English skills. I enjoy helping my students attain their goals – whether it’s volunteering in the community, pursuing full-time study or finding a job. In addition, it’s wonderful to be able to get to know students at a deeper level and help with life’s issues as they arise.  

Fun Fact 

In 1976 I travelled overland on the back of a Bedford truck from Kathmandu to London via Afghanistan and Iran. The journey took 12 weeks and was an amazing experience.  

Hi my name is Samantha and I am the Communications Manager for the Neighbourhood Trust. My job is to manage our website, and Facebook pages as well as promote the many initiatives that the Neighbourhood Trust is involved in. I am also incharge of the Neighbourhood News which is a newsletter that is delivered quarterly to our community here in St Albans and Mairehau. 

Hi, I’m Maree, wife of Steve and Mother of 3 wonderful adult Children. I am a member of St Albans Baptist church and a committed Christian.  My employment background is predominately as a medical receptionist, but I resigned from my position to embark on a 15-week Caravan Holiday of the North Island, last year.  I am really excited to be a part of the NHT team and looking forward to connecting to those in the Golden programme.  It is my wish to make changes that support the needs of the group. I am also passionate about inviting those in our community who are currently not involved in this group, to join us.

I am privileged to have been a member of the Neighbourhood Trust Board since 2014, although my involvement as a volunteer goes back to its formative days.  I am currently serving as Chairperson, which enables me to spend time with our wonderful staff & volunteers, plus members of the wider not for profit and local government sectors.  I love being able to have an influence in the work of the Trust at governance level, but the greatest rewards are in helping out at our various events and programmes and seeing the connections being built in our local community. 

I have been privileged to be on the NHT Board for 15 years. I have witnessed firsthand seeing NHTs growth over this period from a small charitable trust to one that has a city wide reach and is trusted for delivery of quality services and initiatives.

My main role on the board is Secretary, and Deputy Chairperson. I enjoy volunteering wherever possible, and to encourage and support our staff to reach and maximize their potential.

Outside of NHT I am employed in the corporate world as an IT Business Analyst. In my spare time you will find me enjoying the rural lifestyle where my wife and I live in North Canterbury, and enjoying the company of our extended family with our three daughters and husbands, and six grandchildren.

I enjoy travelling and will enjoy the opportunities for further travel in the future.

I owned a business in the St Albans/Mairehau area for over 30 years so have seen many changes in the local community and am also aware of the issues that affect local people. 

I have been involved with the NHT as a trustee for over 20 years. 

I have an interest in the food bank we run and am very proud of our staff which provide this great service. 

I have enjoyed working as a trustee and supporting and strengthening the St Albans/Mairehau community. 

I have particularly enjoyed volunteering in the programmes and events the trust runs in the community. 

My background is as CFO for PSL Total Air. I also have a Masters in Organisational Psychology. I am also treasurer on the board of Crossroads Trust which serves the community in Wainoni.

I enjoy being involved with both NHT and Crossroads because I feel that I am doing something that helps make a difference to the communities these trusts serve. It has also been a privilege getting to know the other wonderful people on these boards who share a similar vision for the community.

I have been a trustee at NHT for about five years and am part of the finance team. Although I was a teacher for 26 years (initially full time and then part time), my main occupation for the last 18 years has been in the administrative and financial side of our family business.
I love the way the Trust and its employees and volunteers are so passionate about being actively involved in the local community. One of my favourite roles is helping out at the Golden Connection programme’s Foot Clinic. It is so rewarding to see how a few hours of volunteering can be such a blessing to others as it helps them out in some part of their life.