Our People

Edmund was born in Newtown, Wellington and grew up and studied in the city. He is Latvian on his mother’s side, Austrian on his father’s, and his stepfather was Lebanese. Edmund was brought up rich in language and culture and he has worked extensively as a counsellor in a variety of education settings and with community groups. Prior to WellElder, Edmund worked at Victoria University in Wellington as part of the team counselling students. 

Edmund considers counselling is about relationships and an exploration of the many challenges we face in life. He likes to think he brings hope as well as humour to his counselling work and is interested in exploring dreams and imagination and is a passionate student of history. Outside of counselling Edmund enjoys most sports, particularly tennis and hiking and is a keen chess player who also enjoys looking at works of art. 

 Sarah has been counselling since 2017 in a variety of settings, and with a wide range of age groups. Sarah is passionate about drawing on a range of counselling approaches to meet the individual needs of her clients. In her spare time Sarah enjoys spending time taking care of and connecting to nature and tending to her garden.

Laura has a Graduate Diploma in Counselling Practice and is a practitioner in developmental movement therapy [Extra Lesson™], an educational approach to neuro-development and child development. Experienced in working with parents, children and young people. Laura provides counselling for women, men of all ages and couples experiencing loss and grief, abuse, trauma, anxiety, depression, pain from chronic illness, transitioning through life stages.

Using a person-centred approach and inspired by the ideas of Viktor Frankl, Laura works with warmth, non-judgmental acceptance and deep listening in order to create a sacred and safe space with the client. Using stories, art, movement, play therapy, sensory integration, body awareness and mindfulness as a way to strengthen the client’s personal needs in their journey toward self-affirmation and self-discovery.

Laura has a PhD in social sciences from EHESS (Paris, France) which supports her understanding that clients are individuals existing in the wider context of their society and culture, demonstrated through working with people from many cultural backgrounds. She speaks Spanish and French as well, and honours Te Tiriti of Waitingi.

Debra Halton brings extensive managerial expertise and a strong dedication to staff well-being to her role at WellElder. With a background in spearheading new projects and implementing initiatives, she excels at overcoming challenges and driving success. Based in Miramar with her daughter and two playful cats, Debra is enthusiastic about contributing to WellElder's mission of positively impacting the lives of older people.

Rachael has a background in community organisations and enjoys working in places that create a kinder and fairer Aotearoa. She enjoys crafts, reading, gardening and friendly phone conversations, so please don’t hesitate to give her a call with any questions!

A counsellor for over 30 years, Jane is a life member of NZAC. She juggles her private practice with looking after her delightful grandson.

With a background in secondary and tertiary education, her passion is "helping people become the person they wish to be".

She joined the WellElder Board in 2012.

Daphne was born and raised in Wellington to Dutch parents. She lives in Newtown with her husband Keith and has five adult children and three grandchildren.

Daphne has spent most of her working life in education – as a primary school teacher, adult educator and facilitator of projects focused on improving the wellbeing of both young and old.

She is an active member of Drama Christi – a community theatre, and Crows Feet – a women's dance collective with wonderful, wise and inspiring elders.

Judy has a broad interest in older people's health, and in-depth knowledge of how the government health sector works.

She was for many years Manager Health of Older People in the Ministry of Health. She led the team that developed the initial Health of Older People Strategy.

In her role as a programme manager, Older People's Wellness with ACC she did the development work on the nationwide programme, Live Stronger for Longer, which focuses on falls prevention for older people.

Since arriving in New Zealand from the UK in 2007, Kathryn has worked in the older people policy space, across both government and NGOs. She is a passionate advocate for older people, aspiring to support them to live their best possible life.

As Policy and Health Promotion Manager at Age Concern New Zealand, she worked with Judy Glackin to develop and roll out the Live Stronger for Longer strength and balance programme across the motu. More recently, she led the New Zealand aged care sector’s response to COVID-19.

Kathryn is a musician in her spare time, playing violin with several amateur orchestras and singing with the Glamaphones, Wellington’s rainbow choir. She is also currently learning the banjo!

"The important work of moving the world forward does not wait to be done by perfect people". George Elliott

Philip was born in Yorkshire, United Kingdom and trained at St Andrews, Manchester and London Universities. He is now a retired GP and presently President of U3A Wellington City.

He has previously held several roles in medical practice, medical research and medicines regulation. He has also had other roles in industry and commerce, and spent eight years in public service (excluding his clinical roles). At 54, he moved to New Zealand to retrain in primary care. After 6 years in the Hutt Valley (HV), he was encouraged to set up a new practice in Lower Hutt with a HVDHB grant, initially within the Te Awakairangi PHO. Philip spent the latter part of his career as a GP locum in Wellington, Kāpiti and the Hutt Valley, including 6 high needs practices. He has cared for many older persons of all ethnicities and supported up to 10 residential homes in this region over the years. He still feels this was his most useful contribution to primary care especally in a time of GP shortages.

Philip is a Fellow of the Royal College (RNZCGP), has taught at the undergraduate and postgraduate level, and served as a College GP examiner. He has also served on various Boards, including the National Stroke Network Committee, and as Chair of the HVDHB Long Term Conditions Committee.

Jane has lived and worked in Wellington since the 1990s, with many years of business experience in the corporate sector alongside community and not-for-profit roles. She is a people person first and foremost, and enjoys the range of relationships and challenges of working for not-for-profit organisations. She is pleased to contribute to the important work of supporting older people in the community.