Who we are

The HPSAANZ Executive Committee 2022

Lisa Pearson

PRESIDENT
  • Waikato Hospital

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.

Nicola Woollaston

OUTGOING PRESIDENT
  • Starship Hospital

Kia ora.   I hold a number of wonderful roles at present: wife, mum of 4 teenagers, team leader of the diverse and talented team of play specialists at Starship. As a small association we have made some significant strides in shifting towards the future: re-confirming our title, updating our processes, association rules, policies and website, shifting learning online, as well as adapting to the needs of our members and the wider community during the global COVID pandemic.  I am wildly grateful for the time, knowledge, skills, passion, guidance and insight shared within our small executive team, registration council and members of our working groups.   

Jemma Thomas

INCOMING PRESIDENT AND MEMBERSHIP
  • Christchurch Hospital
​
​Kia ora, my name is Jemma Thomas and I have been on the HPSAANZ Executive for the past five years. I have been working as a HPS at Christchurch Hospital for the past five years, most recently working in the Children’s Haematology and Oncology Centre. During my time on the HPS Executive I have been involved in a variety of different projects including being part of the organising committee for our previous conference, website and membership platform development and management, and continuing to strengthen our links between HPS around the country.  I truly believe in supporting our HPS members to develop a strong vision for the future that supports everyone to learn together and grow our profession.

Chloe Davidson

TREASURER & REGISTRATION COUNCIL LIASION​
  • Starship Hospital

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. 

Vicki Davis

EXECUTIVE MEMBER
  • The Wilson Centre

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. 
Nicole Huddy
EXECUTIVE MEMBER
  • Christchurch Hospital

​Kia ora, my name is Nicole Huddy and I am a Registered Hospital Play Specialist at Waipapa Hospital in Christchurch. I am currently working on the surgical ward, and at times help out on the medical ward and our paediatric Activity Room. I have been a Hospital Play Specialist for just over 4 years.
 
I am a registered Early Childhood teacher and have completed a post Graduate Diploma in Early Intervention. Prior to that I worked in a ECE centre for 5 years with under 2’s and have been a support worker for children/adults with additional needs for the past 12 years. In 2021 I was part of the Hospital Play Specialist Conference Committee working group which I am part of again this year, which has been a great learning experience.
​Sue Fahey
EXECUTIVE MEMBER
  • Nelson Hospital

Kia ora, my name is Sue Fahey and I work as a Hospital Play Specialist in the Children’s Ward at Nelson Hospital. I have been in this role since December 2016, when the service opened here. My background is in both early childhood teaching and nursing (with a post graduate PICU qualification from RCH Melbourne, and NICU, theatre and practice nursing in NZ). I gained a BTchLn (ECE) in 2010, and immediately prior to taking on my current role as a HPS I was working as a Head Teacher in a kindergarten that included a Teen Parent Unit, as well as both infants and toddlers and young children’s areas. The wellbeing of children and families has always been a priority for me.
Sharon Luque
EXECUTIVE MEMBER
  • Taranaki Base Hospital

Hello my name is Sharon Luque and I work at Taranaki Base Hospital in New Plymouth. I have the pleasure of not just working on the Children's Ward I travel all over the hospital.
 I have been a Play Specialist for the past thirteen years here in Taranaki and previously a Karitane Nurse on the North Shore for 5 years.  Before my move to New Zealand with my husband and children I was an early childhood educator for 8 years in England.
The HPSAANZ Registration Council 2023
  • Phillipa French - Starship Hospital
  • Paula Perham - Starship Hospital
  • Melinda White - Christchurch Hospital

  • Carol Bolton - (External Adviser) - Independent HPS Consultant
  • Allana Bunting - Invercargill Hospital - (External Adviser)
Additional Support
  • Allied Health HPSAANZ Representative: Debbie McDougall - Tauranga Hospital