Meet our team

Ko Tiritiri-o-te-Moana te Maunga, ko Waimakariri te Awa. Nō Aerana, nō Ahitereiria, nō Ingarangi ōku tūpuna. Ko Stone rāua Chapman ngā ingoa whānau.

It is my honour to serve as PSNZ’s National Executive Officer. I am a sociologist and a mother of two now adult children. Since the age of 10 I’ve been an advocate for equity and social justice.

Kia ora. Ko Taranaki tōku maunga. Ko Whanganui tōku awa. Ko Ōnoke tōku roto. Ko Vicky Prout tōku ingoa.

Mum of two, with a passion for people and their wellbeing. I have been with the Presbyterian Support family since March 2014 and with the National office as Executive Assistant from February 2017. I love my job and the work of Presbyterian Support.

Presbyterian Support New Zealand is governed by the National Council which is made up of representatives from each of the seven Presbyterian Support organisations.

The National Council meets at least twice a year to monitor organisational achievements and financial performance and set the strategic direction.

National Council members (from left to right): David Hansen/PS Northern, Stuart Signal/PS East Coast, Eoin Powell/PS South Canterbury, Marie Callander/PS Central, Chair Andrew Johnston/PS Upper South Island, Dr Prudence Stone/PSNZ, Tim Loan/PS Southland (Leanne Illingworth, PS Southland pictured), Tim Mepham/PS Otago.

The National Executive Group (NEG) is made up of the Chief Executives of each of the seven Presbyterian Support organisations, a Roopu member and the Manager from PSNZ. They come together regularly to make decisions about national issues and shared areas of work. They ensure the National Council’s policies are implemented and manage PSNZ.

National Executive Group members (from left to right): Denise Cosgrove (PS Northern), Michael Parker (PS Southland), Joe Asghar (PS Central), Jo Rowe (PS Otago), Barry Helem (PS Upper South Island), Dr Sanja Majstorovic (PS Eastern), Jim Berry (Te Roopū Pā Harakeke), and (Chairperson) Carolyn Cooper (PS South Canterbury).

This Advisory group’s members are those from each region who provide cultural advice and leadership specifically with a Māori worldview. Pā Harakeke describes the flax stand and the role it plays in the life and traditions of Māori. The name reminds us we aspire to be as strong and reliable as the Harakeke plant. Harakeke is unique to New Zealand and is one of our oldest plant species, just as PSNZ is one of our oldest social and health service providers.

Te Roopū Pā Harakeke members: Jim Berry/PS Central (Manukura), Te Naihi Wilson/PS Northern, Francis Te Pou/PS East Coast, Kim Manahi/PS Upper South Island, Ruth Garvin/PS South Coast, Stewart Hawkins/PS Otago, Pip Hakopa/PS Southland.