Meet the Team

Deb Fothergill

Health Programmes Manager

Deb has had significant success in both nursing and leadership roles within primary care.  In her role of General Practice Development Deb is looking forward to working alongside general practice teams to support the delivery of accessible high quality healthcare within a strong local primary care system.

Samara Welch

Health Improvement Practitioner Lead

Samara has significant experience in the social sector including leadership and management roles. After completing a Bachelor of Science majoring in Psychology and Criminology and a Masters of Applied Social Work, Samara joined the National Collective of independent Women’s Refuge as a Registered Social Worker. She spent six years with the organisation and worked at a national level as the Contract and Service Development Coordinator.
Samara returned to Hawke’s Bay with her partner earlier this year, taking a position at Hawke’s Bay DHB in the Haumaru Whānau Team as a Child Protection Co-ordinator.
Samara is excited to be joining Health Hawke’s Bay where she will be supporting a team of Health Improvement Practitioners working within the Integrated Primary Mental Health and Addiction Service (IPMHAS). She says it’s vitally important to be supporting the staff working in the community trying to grow whānau resilience.

Donna Whitiwhiti

Health Coach Team Lead

Ko Kahuranaki te maunga

Ko Ngaruroro te awa

Ko Ngai te Upokoiri te hapū

Ko Omahu te Marae

Ko Harata Hokahoka Hakiwai tōku whaea

Ko Otarara me Hikurangi ōku maunga

Ko Te Tutaekuri te awa

Ko Ngāti Pārau te hapū

Ko Waiohiki te Marae

Ko Pineamine Āti Whitiwhiti tōku matua

Ko Takitimu te waka

Ko Ngāti Kahungunu te iwi

Ko Donna Whitiwhiti tōku ingoa.

My role with Health HB is Health Coach Team Lead.  Over the years I have held several positions working within our communities particularly Māori to support and improve their quality of life. This has always been my passion.  I look forward to working within the IPMHA space alongside a great new team of people.

Ehara taku toa he toa takitahi engari he toa takitini

Veronica Luckman

Health Improvement Practitioner

Kia Ora koutou, ko Veronica taku ingoa, no Tirau ahau – originally from the Waikato, I relocated to sunny Hawkes Bay in 2019, I am working as a health improvement practitioner across Tamatea, Maraenui, Carlyle, and Shakespeare medical centers. I have a background in acute mental health nursing in both Hawke’s Bay and previously in Hamilton, which has also included experience and postgraduate education in talking therapy and leadership. I have seen the impact a “gap” in service delivery of mental health support in our health system has created, and I am driven to be a part of this change to bridge the gap and to support our tangata whaiora to create a life worth living.

Lance Tupaea

Health Coach

I grew up in Waipukurau and lived there for twenty-three years. My partner and I enjoyed five years in Australia before moving back to Hawke’s Bay to settle down and start a family.

I enjoy working with whānau and want to support our people in making positive changes in their lives, no matter how big or small, with the goal of living a healthier lifestyle.

Haylee Williams

Health Improvement Practitioner

Born and bred in Hawke’s Bay where I am lucky enough to continue raising my 3 children from 22 -10.

I have worked within our community in the primary health care setting for the last 5 1/2 years as a registered nurse. I have been able to see the effects health and mental wellness have on our Tangata and Whanau, two years ago I credentialed in Mental Health and addictions, adding to the support I was able to offer in the way I provided healthcare.

Having recently started my journey in the newly established HIP role working from The Doctors Napier, where I had been employed previously, I look forward to working in a way i can best offer acute support to our community to strengthen their health and wellbeing

Kylee Stok

Health Coach

Kia Ora Koutou

I was born and bred here in the sunny HB, a māmā to 3 boys who are very heavily involved in rugby (go the dale!!) so when not at work, I can be seen on the sideline of a rugby field, cheering my boys on.

I have always had a passion to work, support, and encourage people and so far my working career has seen me hold several roles across the health and social sector. I have worked in dementia/ hospital level aged care facilities as a health care assistant and activities coordinator, NGO as a cessation practitioner, youth navigator, and Kia Ora program facilitator, HBDHB working within population health as a smoke-free Maori support worker, piloted and facilitated a community cultural leadership program and my previous role prior to joining HHB was working in a Social Enterprise as a facilitator for youth. During my time within these roles I have achieved my certificates in Health and well-being, Youth work, Te ara reo L2, Stop smoking practitioners, Group fitness, and Diploma in Whanau Ora. I strongly believe that my past roles and experiences have equipped me with the skills, knowledge, and tools to fulfill my role as a Health Coach and to continue supporting our people.

Rebecca Mackenzie

Health Improvement Practitioner

I trained as a psychologist in the mid-1990s and have worked in organisations and been self-employed as a change agent, manager, trainer, HR advisor, project manager, consultant, and therapist.  For the last few years, I have worked in HBDHB and Health Hawkes Bay in health management roles.

My training in psychodrama and group work is where I have developed clinical skills and am now training as an artistic therapist.

I live in Haumoana with my three daughters, dog, cat, and 3 chooks.  I walk a lot, am a bit of a yoga zealot, and swim in the ocean.

In this role I see the possibility to make a difference for our whanau on a daily basis it is in line with the vision of Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga,

Te Haaro o Te Kaahu ki Tuawhakarere – the view of the hawk beyond the horizon is our future

And the values

–              Whanaungatanga (making connections)

–              Kotahitanga (working together as one)

–              Kaitiakitanga (support)

–              Whakamana (empower)

Sonia Pedersen

Health Improvement Practitioner

I grew up in Hawke’s Bay and following my Nurse Training, traveled overseas. I returned home to Hawkes Bay with my two young children following the sudden death of my husband.

Following my return from overseas, I have worked in Primary Care in Hawke’s Bay; for the past 10 years have been employed at Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga, where I have worked in the community, Nurse Clinic at WINZ office, and general practice. I have most recently been in a nurse leadership role and during COVID lockdown helped coordinate clinical requirements within the TToH CIMS team.

In 2019, while in my Nurse Leader role, I finished my Post Grad Diploma Nurse Prescribing and trained to be a Mental Health Credentialed Nurse.

It has been a privilege to serve our community in my previous roles and I am excited to step back from Nurse Team Leader to take on a new challenge and continue to serve our community as a Health Improvement Practitioner while also continuing in my Nurse Prescribing role at Hauora Heretaunga.

Trey Ferguson

Health Coach

My health care career began in 2015 when I was employed by Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga as dental assistant, after three years I moved on to another role. For the last year and a half, I have been employed as a healthy life styles coach.

What drove me to this Mahi is that I have been through my own mental & spiritual struggle, found my way through it, and have gained a lot of knowledge and wisdom. I have always enjoyed helping people, but now that I have more life experience, I feel as though I have a lot more to give. Happiness is not a destination, it’s a journey!

Sally Tither

Health Improvement Practitioner

Sally brings 30 plus years’ experience as a Registered Nurse, to her role. She has worked in various parts of New Zealand, settling in Hawke’s Bay to raise her family, alongside her husband.

Her career has been mainly in Primary Health Care including Student Health, Public Health, Urgent Care, and General Practice. Life experience including bringing up four children has added to her kete of knowledge and understanding of the joys and challenges of life.

Having completed credentialing in mental health and addictions work, Sally’s main focus for the last four years has been helping individuals work on their emotional and mental health and wellbeing within General Practice at The Hastings Health Centre.

Emma Laking

Health Coach

Tēnā koe,

Ko Taranaki tōku maunga

Ko Waingongoro tōku awa

Ko Aōtea tōku waka

Ko Ngā Ruahinerangi tōku iwi

Ko Ngāti Manuhiakai tōku hapū

Ko Paraha rāua ko Laking tōku whānau

Ko Emma Laking tōku ingoa

I shall be based at the Hastings Health Centre as a trained Health Coach.

Having worked predominantly in hospitality for the majority of my working career so far, I have a natural love and interest for our people, our community, and their well being.

To be a part of the new kaupapa here at HHB, to continue serving the community, just in a different approach is an honor in which I aim to do my absolute best in fulfilling.

Having been a young Māori Māmā, with a big blended whānau of 7, my own life’s trials, triumphs, and experiences.

I offer the positive support and guidance our people rightfully deserve. Working alongside our health team, whānau, community and NGO’s, together we can achieve great outcomes for our community.

Ahakoa no hea, ahakoa ko wai.

No matter where your from, no matter who you are.