Our people

Wayne Naylor

CEO

Wayne joined the Hospice New Zealand team in 2021 following on from 9 years with Hospice Waikato in Hamilton as Director of Nursing. Over his nursing career he has worked primarily in oncology, haematology and palliative care. He has been a Research Nurse, Clinical Nurse Specialist and Nurse Lecturer. Wayne also spent almost four years as a Senior Analyst for the Palliative Care Council of New Zealand before moving to his current role.

Gretchen Leuthart

Communications Manager

Gretchen joined the Hospice New Zealand team in October 2021. She brings diverse experience to her role following many years working in communications and stakeholder engagement across the government, consultancy and NGO space. Most recently her focus has been in the community development space where she has worked with Volunteer Service Abroad, ChangeMakers Resettlement Forum, the Common Unity Project Aotearoa and Caritas Aotearoa. Gretchen has a Masters in International Development and her research – in the sphere of cross-cultural competency – explores how trust can be better understood as a way to evaluate and improve Māori and Pākehā relationships.

Devon Diggle

Senior Advisor

Devon joined Hospice New Zealand from Mary Potter Hospice where he was Director of Strategy and Finance. He brings experience as a leader of major system change within complex and challenging environments. He has experience in health funding, data analysis, health service design, capital infrastructure and property.

Devon has had previous roles at Hospice New Zealand advising on national funding and strategy and with Capital and Coast DHB developing and implementing a regional palliative care strategy. Devon has a BA in Politics and Economics, and an MA in Economics. Prior to joining Hospice, Devon worked for the Ministry of Health and Sapere Research Group.

Rebecca Gibson

Executive Assistant & Office Manager

Rebecca joined the Hospice NZ team in May 2023 after a hiatus to be a full-time Mum to her two young children. Rebecca has a wealth of experience in Executive Administration, having worked for large global technology companies, most recently Microsoft in the UK. Rebecca is passionate about helping people and making a positive impact on the lives of others.

Jacqui Swain

Education Programmes Manager

Jacqui joined the Hospice New Zealand team in June 2021, moving from the role of Nurse Educator at Hospice Waikato. Her nursing career spans over 30 years, of which 15 years have been spent in Palliative Care. The education, personal and professional development of healthcare staff is a passion for Jacqui.

Emily Edwards

Fundraising and Partnerships Manager

Emily joined the Hospice NZ team in 2021 bringing extensive fundraising experience from previous roles with the British Heart Foundation and most recently as Marketing and Fundraising Lead with The Fred Hollows Foundation in Auckland.  With a degree in Events with Arts, Emily is passionate about using her creative, organisational and communication skills to build relationships and raise funds for great causes.

Tina Parata

Kaiwhakahaere Mauri Mate

Tina has over 40 years' experience in public health and joined Hospice in June 2021 as the Project Manager for Mauri Mate having previously worked as the Kaiwhakamaru at Waipuna Hospice, Tauranga Moana. Tina's ancestry is both English and Māori. On her father’s side, her iwi affiliations are Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Raukawa, Muaūpoko and Ngai Tahu, and on her mother’s side, her whakapapa to England. Tina has found success in bridging the gap between cultural groups and is passionate about improving health outcomes for Māori and Pacifica.

Heather Kimber

Programme Manager

Heather joined Hospice New Zealand in January 2023, bringing vast experience in project management. Her work has included delivering health and safety workforce initiatives, healthy policy development, public health advocacy, and performance reporting and planning. Heather’s career spans a number of sectors including NGOs, local and regional government and District Health Boards. Heather is passionate about health and wellness, and the impact that wrap around health care services has on people’s lives.

Leah Tonks

Data Analyst and Administrator

Leah joined the Hospice New Zealand team in 2019 after 7 years in various roles with Tōtara Hospice. Leah has a strong background in most administrative areas within a hospice including education, volunteering, clinical administration and reporting. Leah's strong interest in Data Analytics have been instrumental in the development of the national Data Commons Infrastructure.

The board

Hospice NZ is governed by a Board which implements the national body’s vision and strategic plan. The Board is made of up two independent directors as well as elected representatives from amongst the hospice membership.

Read about the board