Our Board

I have spent most of my life in the North Island and most of my informative years were spent in the Bay of Plenty. I have lived in Auckland at 3 different times in my life and in between those times I have travelled and lived overseas including USA, Saudi Arabia and the UK. I moved to Nelson in 2016 from Auckland and this is when I commenced a position as Employee Welfare Officer for NZ Police. I have qualified as a Registered Nurse (specialty paediatric oncology) and I have a bachelor degree in Social Practice majoring in Counselling.

I have had a variety of positions in the social services sector since graduating with my degree; working as a family therapist for Presbyterian Support in Rotorua then moving back to Auckland as a service co-ordinator for a re-integrative service working alongside people coming out of prison and returning to their communities and/or families after release.

I have been on the board of SVS Living Safe since 2010, I have been witness to the service grow and develop over the last 10 years into a well-respected leader in the delivery of services to the community throughout the top of the South including the West Coast and Kaikoura. I have recently been elected into the Chairperson role, my membership on this board is one way I can contribute my skills and experience to an NGO that is completing valuable work, now I am no longer working in the NGO sector myself it allows me to contribute back into my local community. I am very committed in supporting the work Dee and her team conduct and I am passionate with regards to wanting a violence free community where all people can live safely and securely.

Amrita joined the SVS Living Safe Board in November 2019. She holds degrees in engineering and commerce, and an MBA. Her career has been focused on manufacturing and operations management, and she currently heads onshore operations for Sealord. Amrita moved to Nelson in 2017, and is passionate about contributing towards making this region a violence free community.

Barb is a communications manager with extensive experience working in central Government, local government and the private sector. She holds specific expertise in crisis communications and media management.

She is also the co-owner of two successful small businesses, the Rimu Wine Bar in Mapua on the wharf as well as Rimu Grove Winery. She is a beef farmer, a horse rider and loves snow skiing.

Andrea has over 30 years’ experience in many roles within public sector, local government, and non government organisations. These roles have included leadership/management positions and involved engagement with communities in New Zealand and overseas.

Andrea recently returned to Nelson after living in Thailand for 4.5 years.  She has extensively travelled through Central and South East Asia and loved the opportunity and privilege to be involved with differing cultural communities.

She is enjoying being back in the Nelson/Tasman area and is making the most of everything the region has to offer.

I came back home to Nelson earlier this year to the place I call home: this is where I met my wife and we had our family, and we have good friends here. We have six adult sons and six grandchildren.

As part of the home coming, I joined the SVS Board. With its depth of professional skills, and breadth of services and support, this is a much more sophisticated organisation to its predecessor: the ‘men’s group’ (variously named Men against Rape, Changing Men, and Men for Non-Violence) I was part of in the 1980’s. I bring history, passion and commitment to creating safe homes, families and society. SVS is not just an organisation for me; it is a catalyst for change, and I am privileged to have a role here.

Since I was in Nelson previously, I have worked with various organisations addressing family and sexual violence. I was the tai-iwi manager of The National Network of Stopping Violence Services from 1997 to 2002, working closely with member agencies, peer community organisations such as Women’s Refuge, and government agencies to develop strategies (such as the Te Rito Strategy) to address violence in families, and support community organisations doing this work across the .country I have been involved with community organisations in both Auckland and Wellington, both as a board member and programme facilitator.

I am a community development worker – for much of my working life I have been employed by government agencies –the Department of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Social Development, Auckland Council, and now Nelson City Council. I have been responsible for supporting community organisations and networks through funding and capacity building initiatives, such as COGS nationally, and working alongside the ‘Its Not Ok’ and SKIP campaigns with MSD. My Masters research explored concepts and examples of partnership between community and government, gathering insights into what contributes to effective partnerships. Unsurprising, these parallel the work of supporting the people we work with to gain insight into their own behaviours, and develop healthy relationships.

I started my working life as an accountant – and although I gave that up to be more involved in the community, I am not fazed by financial reports and systems.

I am delighted to join the SVS Board, and bring my skills and passion to support the Board, our CE, Dee and her team in this kaupapa –to empower all people in our community lo live free of violence

Bio coming soon