We are the only national organisation in Aotearoa NZ that provides free, lifelong care and support for children, teens, adults and whānau impacted by childhood heart conditions.

News of a childhood heart condition can turn a family’s life upside down. But no one has to face that journey alone. We walk alongside families through diagnosis and treatment, offering support, knowledge and guidance. We make sure that our heart families have this support freely available during hospital stays and at home in the community.

Our family support team are dedicated to being there for everyone who navigates a heart journey. Often, families are faced with separation, loneliness, isolation, financial hardship, stress and uncertainty about the future. Our team of trained, passionate family support taituarā are based around Aotearoa NZ, so families are supported when and where they need it most.

We Are Here For Heart Families 

We Are Here For Heart Families 

We Are Here For Heart Families 

We Are Here For Heart Families 

We Are Here For Heart Families 

We Are Here For Heart Families 

For over 40 years, we have worked tirelessly to deliver quality support, information, connection and hope to our heart families.

Strategic Plan

We are guided by an ambitious strategy that provides the roadmap for the future of Heart Kids NZ.

Annual Report 2022

2022 was a year of unrelenting focus on Heart Kids NZ Tamariki Manawa Māia vision and mission – a “vision-first mindset”.

10189

Members

16

Regional Branches

35

Staff

Meet Our Team

What will I do for a heart kid today? This is the question that guides us every day.

No matter if it’s a board member, family support taituarā, fundraiser, senior leader or administrator, we are all clear on our purpose of walking alongside families as they navigate their lifelong heart journeys.

Board

Donna Jujnovich

Member Representative (Appointed), Board Chair

Member Representative (Upper North)

Ashlee McCormick

Member Representative (Upper North)

Neven Harland

Member Representative (Central North)

Steve Abley

Member Representative (Upper South)

James Lawler

Member Representative (Lower North)

Arna Craig

Member Representative (Lower South)

Co-opted Member

Steve Abley

Member Representative (Upper South)

Steve Abley

Member Representative (Upper South)

Steve Abley

Member Representative (Upper South)

Senior Leadership Team

Dr Ruth Gorinski

Chief Executive

Sarah Morgan

Head of Family Support

Denise Kitto

Head of Operations

Robyn Lyall

Practice Lead

Family Support Team

Practice Lead

Ashley Mills

Hospital Family Support

Amy Laverock

Hospital Family Support

Waina Coyne

Family Support (Northland)

Montee Stehlin

Family Support (South Auckland)

Elaine Paki

Family Support (Waikato)

Laura Matenga

Family Support (Waikato)

Jo Gunn

Family Support (Bay of Plenty)

Family Support (South Canterbury)

Family Support (Rotorua)

Narelle Frampton

Family Support (Taranaki)

Alex Atkins

Family Support (Manawatū/Whanganui)

Rebecca McEwen

Family Support (Wellington)

Dee Harris

Family Support (Wellington)

Rebecca Ellis

Family Support (Nelson/Marlborough)

Claire Sword

Family Support (Canterbury)

Kat Matheson

Family Support (Canterbury)

Leeann Morton

Family Support (Central Otago)

Michael Bowey

Heart Adult Support

Hannah Akitt

Family Support (Otago)

Name

Role

Name

Role

Operations & Support Services Team

Veebha Jeram-Patel

Administrator

Rebecca Coburn

Support Services (Auckland)

Support Services (Hawke’s Bay)

Amanda Findsen-Delaney

Support Services (Waikato)

Angela Haddon

Support Services (Wellington)

Engagement & Fundraising Team

Alanah Gilder

Corporate Relationships Lead

Barbara Chapman

Engagement Specialist

Laurel Ketel

Communications Specialist

Georgia Woodhouse

Fundraising & Campaigns Lead

Hanna Griffin

Community Fundraising Lead