Governance
The Mary Potter Hospice Foundation’s Board of Trustees provides governance for the Hospice on behalf of the people we serve.
Mary Potter Hospice Patron
Dame Kerry Prendergast (CNZM)
We were delighted when Dame Kerry Prendergast became the Patron of Mary Potter Hospice in 2017. Dame Kerry is the former Mayor of Wellington and former Vice-President of Local Government New Zealand and holds an MBA from Victoria University.
Dame Kerry is currently Chair of the New Zealand Film Commission and the Royal NZ Ballet. She is a Director of Oceania Healthcare, deputy chair of NZ Conservation Authority and a Trustee of the Wellington International Arts Foundation.
Dame Kerry was awarded a CNZM in 2011 for her services to local government, and is a distinguished Alumni of Victoria University. In July 2016 Dame Kerry was also awarded a Lifetime Excellence Award for Outstanding Contribution to Local Government.
Our Board of Trustees
Emeritus Professor Gregor Coster (CNZM), Chair
Emeritus Professor Gregor Coster was appointed professor and Head of Department of General Practice at the University of Auckland School of Medicine in 1995 after 15 years in general practice. He was Chairman of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners from 1995-97. His most recent appointment was as Dean of the Faculty of Health at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington from 2017-20.
He was a member of the Health Funding Authority, and then Chairman of West Coast DHB, Counties Manukau DHB, District Health Boards New Zealand, and founding Chair of WorkSafe New Zealand; Deputy Chairman of Pharmac for nine years, and a board member of the Accident Compensation Corporation.
He is a presently a Trustee of the Victoria University of Wellington Foundation, Mary Potter Forever Foundation and the HASANZ Miller Trust.
He holds a PhD in Public Policy and was awarded the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2007 for services to public health. He is keen to ensure that Mary Potter Hospice continues to deliver high quality end of life care for patients in our care, and to ensure strong governance for our hospice.
Anthony Carter
Anthony is a New Zealand born Pacific Islander of Samoan, Kiribati, Tuvalu and English descent. He holds numerous leadership roles including Co-Chair – Wellington City Council Pacific Advisory Group, Lead Manager/General Manager – Central Pacific Collective, Governance/Management – Vaka Atafaga Pacific Nursing Service, a member of the Wellington Regional Skills Leadership Group, among many more community-focussed organisations.
He also serves as the Chair of the Mary Potter Hospice Pacific Advisory Group, a role which has given him the opportunity to contribute and further serve the Hospice and our Pacific communities.
Peter Chew
Peter is a partner at KPMG and has over 20 years of consulting experience supporting the UK and NZ governments on performance improvement, the development of performance measurement frameworks, value for money, operational efficiency, project and programme management, and change management.
Peter has had a wide range of community involvement over many years – he is currently the Board Chair of his local primary school, as well as leadership coaching to school Principals through Springboard Trust.
Dr Tim Jefferies
Tim Jefferies is a partner and general practitioner at the Onslow Medical Centre in Johnsonville. He specialises in family medicine, with specific interests in aged care, allergy and occupational medicine. He has extensive experience working in aged and palliative care in rest homes and in general practice.
Hori Waaka, Deputy Chair
Kia ora my name is Hori Waaka
He uri ahau no Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti koata, Ngāti kuia, Te Ati awa me Ngai tahu
E noho ana ahau ki te rohe o Pōneke engari ko Wairau toku kainga.
I have been employed as a Mahutonga Relationship Manager with over 14 years of dedicated service to Ngāti Toa, working across both the health and social sectors. Throughout his career, he has played a key role in strengthening relationships between whānau, community organisations, and service providers, ensuring that support is delivered in ways that are meaningful, culturally grounded, and responsive to the needs of the community. Hori is recognised for his ability to connect with people from all backgrounds, fostering trust, open communication, and collaboration.
Guided by the values of whanaungatanga and manaakitanga, Hori approaches his work with respect, empathy, and a deep commitment to the wellbeing of others. He is known for ensuring that people feel valued, heard, and supported, and for upholding the importance of strong, healthy relationships in every aspect of his mahi.
Hori is also excited and proud to be a part of the Mary Potter Hospice governance, where he contributes his cultural understanding, community knowledge, and leadership experience to support compassionate care and equitable outcomes. His involvement reflects his ongoing dedication to uplifting community wellbeing across all stages of life. Looking ahead, Hori remains committed to supporting pathways that empower whānau, strengthen connection, and help build a thriving future for Ngāti Toa, grounded in collective strength, cultural identity, and shared purpose
Kura Moeahu QSO
Te Kāhui Maunga, Ngā Ruahine, Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Mutunga, Taranaki-tuturu, Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Toa
Kura Moeahu has strong whakapapa connections to the Wellington Region and Taranaki. Raised amongst his mother’s people of Waiwhetu Marae. A tribal leader for his people he is currently the Chair of Waiwhetu and Pipitea Marae, Te Rūnanganui o Te Āti Awa, Atiawa Toa FM Radio and the Harbour Island Kaitiaki Board. A board member of Creative NZ, Deputy Chair of the Wellington Māori Cultural Society. Kura also holds a number of directorship and advisory roles.
A Cultural Advisor and Consultant who has a strong a background in Māori governance, Strategic Planning, Treaty of Waitangi Facilitator, Iwi Engagement, as well as the Tumu Whakarae/Principle Advisor Māori in Parliament, overseeing and ensuring tikanga Māori is upheld and promoted within Parliamentary Services. Highly sort for his knowledge in mātauranga Māori and local iwi knowledge in the Wellington region. A true orator of his people and steeped in ancient karakia, whakapapa, kōrero tuku iho.
In 2022, he was honoured with Absolutely Positively Wellingtonian Award and the Te Awe Māori Business Network Awards for his service to the community. Kura was also acknowledged and received the Companion Queens Service Order in the 2023 New Years Honours.
Fluent in Te Reo Māori, passionate storyteller and composer of many waiata about his people and takiwa. Both he and his wife Alishia are a formidable couple, often seen leading many functions throughout the Wellington region, on parliament, as well as at local, regional, national and international events.
Kura has a strong commitment to the long term wellbeing and sustainability of Te Āti Awa Taranaki Whānui identity and presence through the empowerment of Te Reo Māori me ona Tikanga. He believes in achieving a balance between his Te Āti Awa Taranaki Whānui identity, continued learning, professional advancement and empowering others to achieve their true potential. Kura is inspired by the legacy of proud mentors who worked selflessly to protect their whānau, hapū and communities and who educated their children to achieve the highest standards in their chosen endeavours. Kura is committed to performing his best to benefit of ngā iwi katoa. Both Kura and his wife enjoy spending time together with whānau, friends, especially their mokopuna.
Liz Gibbs
Liz has over 30 years of experience in leadership, marketing, and philanthropy, both internationally and locally.
Since moving to Aotearoa in 1997, Liz has worked in international development, the arts, and the community sector, including serving as CEO at Save the Children New Zealand and Philanthropy New Zealand.
Liz is currently Chief of Social Impact at the Selwyn Foundation.
Liz lives with her partner on the Kapiti coast and enjoys exploring Aotearoa’s outdoors with our dogs as well as snowboarding and sailing.
John Scutter
John is a Chartered Accountant and a Licensed Insolvency Practitioner and specialises in business restructure and forensic accounting. His business is based on the Kapiti Coast, but John acts for clients throughout the country, from small to large businesses.
John has held different governance roles over the years and is currently the Chairperson of Work Ready Kapiti and Chairperson of the RSA Poppy Trust. He is a member of the Institute of Directors.
John has recently joined the MPH Board, having been an avid supporter for many years with his wife Sue as volunteers and financial contributors – work they are committed to and see as a privilege to play a small part in this invaluable organisation. They have two adult children and two grandchildren and love being part of the Kapiti community.
Te Pou Tautoko
Te Pou Tautoko provides advice and supports the Hospice to implement the Māori Service Plan and ensure our services meet the needs of Māori communities. The group ensures that a Māori voice is maintained through all levels of Mary Potter Hospice.
Te Pou Tautoko has contributed to projects that influence palliative care on a nation-wide basis. The group has assisted with education and research projects, as well as providing support at formal ceremonies and occasions. All Hospice staff have the opportunity to seek guidance and advice from Te Pou Tautoko when working on specific projects.
Pacific Advisory Group
The Pacific Advisory Group supports Mary Potter Hospice to increase awareness of Hospice within the Pacific communities of our service area and gives advice to the Hospice to ensure culturally safe services are accessible to Pacific patients and families.