Our people
Our people, together with their colleagues from Kahukura, Focus and primary health providers, aim to provide the best supportive care to those with life limiting illness including their carers and whānau.
Our team works across the Wairarapa community. The primary base for us is at Te Kōwhai in Masterton but our people often travel to people’s homes, retirement facilities, and healthcare facilities - wherever you need us to be.
Hospice Wairarapa is governed on behalf of the people of Wairarapa by a group of experienced and community-minded people who are elected to the Hospice Wairarapa Board of Trustees.
If you have a general enquiry about the work that we do, please contact us on 0800 HOSPWAI (4677924). You can also email specific staff directly as below.
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Gretchen Saulbrey - Chief Executive
Gretchen is responsible for the day-to-day management of Hospice Wairarapa and the delivery of services to our clients and their whānau. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, Gretchen is also responsible for developing and implementing Hospice Wairarapa’s strategic plan. Building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders and community organisations is another important aspect of Gretchen’s role.
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Annie Hawkes - Team Leader, Whānau Support Team
Annie leads the Whānau Support team at Hospice Wairarapa. With an extensive background in social work, she focuses on enhancing the support and services provided to our clients and their families. Annie coordinates the team's efforts to address the complex needs of those experiencing life-limiting illnesses, ensuring they receive the compassionate and comprehensive care they and their whānau need.
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Jennah Rameka - Social Worker
Jennah supports our clients and their whānau to navigate the many challenges and changes involved in having a life-limiting illness. Jennah’s role provides a large amount of practical support and includes developing advanced care plans, conflict resolution, financial problem-solving, legal matters including wills and power of attorney, and receiving entitlements and assistance.
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Hazel Neser - Education and Bereavement Facilitator
Hazel leads the development and provision of Hospice programmes and services to support our clients and their whānau through grief and loss. Hazel is responsible for training staff and developing services that respond to, and meet the needs of, our Wairarapa communities to ensure access to quality care across the region.
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Sharon Penny - Spriritual Carer
Sharon supports the taha wairua (spiritual) needs of our clients and their whānau. Regardless of belief system, Sharon’s role is to assist clients and whānau to support holistic wellbeing and provide sensitive and supportive care in response to the spiritual needs and beliefs of our clients and their whānau.
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Kate Jurlina - Corporate Relationships Manager
Kate creates corporate relationships and fosters ongoing partnerships for Hospice Wairarapa, with a focus on increasing funds for its services. With a background in communications, marketing and events, Kate’s role includes managing sponsorship opportunities, marketing strategies, identifying funding initiatives and building meaningful relationships with Hospice Wairarapa stakeholders.
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Emma Batt - Office Coordinator
Emma provides administrative support across the organisation, assists with volunteer recruitment, events, marketing and comms (including our website and social media) and manages the day-to-day running of our base at Te Kōwhai.
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Sam Millward - Retail Manager
Sam manages Hospice Wairarapa’s two retail stores and the Garage Sale, working with staff and volunteers to generate revenue for hospice services. She brings experience from New Zealand, the UK, and India, where she helped open 23 stores for a socially responsible textile company. Sam has also managed both large department stores and small design boutiques and is passionate about contributing to the community.