Who we are
The HPSAANZ Executive Committee 2025
Chloe Davidson NZHPSReg PRESIDENT
Hello my name is Chloe Davidson and I work at Starship Children's hospital in Auckland. I have been a Play Specialist for the past four years and an early childhood teacher for the past 8 years, before that. I have really enjoyed how much I have learnt working on the executive committee for the past three years and getting to know play specialists around NZ. 
Lisa Pearson NZHPSReg VICE PRESIDENT & EXECUTIVE OFFICER
I am a registered Hospital Play Specialist at Waikato DHB. With 16 years in the profession. I have been a member of the HPSAANZ executive for four years supporting various initiatives, policy development and future forward planning. I feel proud to represent our profession working alongside a small but passionate and committed group of professionals. Let’s continue to grow, inspire and strengthen our collaborative energies. |
Vicki Davis SECRETARY & EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Kia ora, my name is Vicki Davis and I work at the Wilson Centre for the Children’s National Rehabilitation Service along with Children’s Out of Home Respite Service for Waitemata DHB here in Auckland. I have been at the Wilson Centre for many years and prior to this I was lucky enough to experience working as a Play Specialist for 2 ½ years in a hospital in England. My background is early childhood education and before becoming a Play Specialist I worked for Barnardo’s as a visiting teacher. 
Elroy Pinto NZHPSReg TREASURER & EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Hi, my name's Elroy and I am a registered Senior Hospital Play Specialist. I have worked in both the Cardiology and Oncology/Haematology services at Starship Over the last 6 years and am looking forward to working with both the HPSAANZ Exec and our members. |
Lisa Horgan NZHPSReg EXECUTIVE OFFICER & COMMUNICATIONS CO-ORDINATOR
Kia ora, my name is Lisa Horgan and I am a Registered Hospital Play Specialist at Waikato Hospital where I have had the pleasure of working since 2017. Prior to this I spent a few years in Melbourne with my family where I was fortunate enough to begin my journey in this incredible career. As I move into my second year on the executive, I feel grateful for the networks I have begun building, the shared passion we all have for this incredible profession and new learnings of which there are many! |
Shannon Ioane-Moala NZHPSReg EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Tālofa lava, my name is Ma'ifuna'i Shannon Ioane-Moala (NZHPSReg, PGC-DCL, MInstD) and I am the Clinical Coach & Senior HPS for the Starship Childrens Hospital play service in Tāmaki Makaurau. I have been a Hospital Play Specialist for 7 years as a solo practitioner in Radiology and Radiation Oncology and am fortunate to be part of an incredible multi-disciplinary team. I have been very busy over the years running both our MRI program and our services cultural competency journey over the last few years, both of which I have been fortunate to present its outcomes at the Child Life Conference 2025, in Los Angeles. I am also a Minister appointed Board Member for Medical Radiation Technologist Board (MRTB), the Board representative for Te Manu Mātārae (Māori Practitioners Advisory Committee) and recently elected Deputy Chair for the MRTB in February 2025. |
Wendy Hos NZHPSReg EXECUTIVE OFFICER & HPS REGISTRATION COUNCIL LIAISON
Hi, my name is Wendy Hos, I am a registered Hospital Play Specialist at Waikato DHB. I began this amazing career opportunity in 2015 as an assistant, based in our Waikids ECE Activity Room, for a couple of years. Much of my experience has been on the medical ward however I am now thoroughly enjoying the challenge of developing and extending the service we provide for our Day Stay Unit. This has been an amazing opportunity to grow my clinical knowledge and skills, with the support of an awesome HPS team. I am passionate about the work we do, the support we offer, the skills we develop and the relationships we build with both MDT and whanau. I consider this role, of play specialist, to be a huge privilege, walking alongside families as they navigate their healthcare journeys. As an executive member I look forward to supporting the growth of our profession. |
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Georgina Bentley NZHPSReg EXECUTIVE OFFICER & MEMBERSHIP CO-ORDINATOR
My name is Georgina Bentley. I am fully registered as a HPS at Kidz First Children’s Hospital and am now in my fifth year in my role. I am currently working on the medical ward and have enjoyed adding my new learnings to my kete. My most recent achievement as a HPS has been leading the Tau Mauri multi-sensory room project, to support tamariki/children who are neurodivergent and have additional developmental needs, while providing a space for calmness and relaxation while in hospital. I am Maaori and Samoan and am a mother of four (20y, 13y, 8y, 7y). |
Rosie Ellis EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Hi, my name is Rosie, and I am proud to call Auckland my home. I am a qualified Early Childhood Teacher and for the past two years, I have been a dedicated member of the Hospital Play Specialist Team at Kidz First, Middlemore Hospital. My philosophy is rooted in a holistic approach to education and care. My goal is to ensure that children and their whānau feel they have a safe and welcoming space within the hospital. Through our interactions, I aim to support children in growing their mental, spiritual, and physical well-being. I am passionate about empowering children to reach their dreams and fostering an environment of freedom and exploration within our space at Kidz First. My goal is to help children and their whanau feel safe, supported, and happy as they navigate their healthcare journey, all while embracing opportunities learn and explore the world around them. |
Janelle Cunningham EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Kia ora, Talofa Ko Janelle toku ingoa. My name is Janelle Cunningham I am one of the Play Specialists on the Children’s Ward in Invercargill/Murihiku. I started as a Training Teacher in Dunedin on the Children’s Ward in 2001 with Jacqui. After 22 years working in various roles within the ECE Sector and Social Services I returned to become a reliever and, then work alongside Allana. In 2023 I become one of two Play Specialist job sharing the role here in Invercargill. I am love being a Play Specialist, supporting our whanau and building whanaungatanga with whanau and our MDT Team. Joining the Executive team is truly a privilege alongside my role and beginning journey as a Play Specialist, I look forward to filling my kete and working together learning more about our profession. |
The HPSAANZ Registration Council 2025
Melinda White NZHPSReg HPS REGISTRATION COUNCIL MEMBER
Kia ora, my name is Melinda White. I am the Team Leader of the Hospital Play Specialist Service at Christchurch Hospital and I am a registered Hospital Play Specialist and qualified Early Child Teacher. I have been working in the education sector for over 20 years and have been at Christchurch Hospital for 8 years. I have worked in a mix of areas including Medical, surgical and Children’s haematology and oncology. I have also been an executive member of the HPSAANZ however have now moved onto the Registration Council and have been a member of this for the past two years. I really enjoy supporting the profession, getting to know all members of the association and looking at ways we can continue to improve and develop. |
Ana Smith NZHPSReg HPS REGISTRATION COUNCIL MEMBER
Kia ora my name is Ana Smith and I am the Team Leader of the Play Specialist Service at Kidz First. I have worked at Kidz First for over 20 years and am currently working on our medical ward and in ED. I am a registered HPS, certified Child Life Specialist and recently gained my provisional Teacher Registration. I have worked in the past as a child life specialist/play specialist in the US and England, as well as utilising my skills during medical missions to China and Sri Lanka. I am looking forward to contributing as a member of the Registration Council and helping to refresh our registration documentation. |
Nicky Boyd NZHPSReg HPS REGISTRATION COUNCIL MEMBER
Hi, my name is Nicky Boyd. I have been a Hospital Play Specialist since 2007. I worked at Starship children’s hospital for 15 years. My time at starship was spent in a number of different areas, but I spent the majority of my time on ward 26B (medical specialties). 26B is where I developed a passion for working with children and families over long periods of time. I feel humbled and privileged to have walked beside many families during their hospital journey for months, sometimes years at a time. I hold these memories close to my heart. For the last 4 years I have been working as an HPS 2 days a week, at Whangarei hospital on the children’s ward. I have enjoyed the experience of working within a regional hospital and strengthening my skills in developing relationships quickly in the acute setting. I am about to start my second term as a member of the Hospital Play Specialist Registration Council. I have been a registered HPS since 2011. I joined the HPSRC as a way of giving back to the profession, volunteering my time to support applicants in reaching their professional competency, and validating the complex and uniquely special role of an HPS. Keep up the good work team! |
Paula Perham NZHPSReg
HPS REGISTRATION COUNCIL MEMBER
Kia ora My name is Paula Perham, and I am a Registered Hospital Play Specialist and qualified Early Childhood Educator. I currently work as a senior HPS at Starship Child Health in Tāmaki Makaurau, where I have spent the past 13 years specializing within surgical services. I have two key passions: advocating for infants in hospital and supporting my HPD colleagues in strengthening their clinical practice. The registration of HPS gaining registration has always been a strong conviction of mine and I have been fortunate to be part of the HPS Registration Council for the past 5 years. I am excited about the opportunities ahead to continue strengthening and advancing our profession. |
Additional HPSAANZ Representatives
- Allied Health HPSAANZ Representative: Debbie McDougall - Tauranga Hospital
- ECAC HPSAANZ Representative: Nicky Woollaston
Email: [email protected]
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