Who we are
The HPSAANZ Executive Committee 2024
Lisa Pearson EXECUTIVE MEMBER & PRESIDENT
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. |
Chloe Davidson EXECUTIVE MEMBER AND INCOMING 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 Horgan EXECUTIVE MEMBER & WEBSITE 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! |
Vicki Davis EXECUTIVE MEMBER & SECRETARY
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 & MEMBERSHIP CO-ORDINATOR
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. |
Shannon Ioane-Moala EXECUTIVE MEMBER
Tālofa, o lo'u ingoa o Shannon. I am a registered Senior Hospital Play Specialist and Clinical Coach at Starship. I have worked as a HPS in the Radiology and Radiation Therapy Services at Starship over the last 6 years and in governance since 2019. I have a lot of alofa for both our Pasific communities in health as well as the pacific health workforce and have loved having my two roles in hospital play and health governance to contribute to the value, growth and positive experiences of them both. |
Wendy Hos EXECUTIVE MEMBER & 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. |
Elroy Pinto EXECUTIVE MEMBER & TREASURER
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. |
HPSAANZ Executive Committee Position Descriptions
| President |
| Secretary |
| Membership Co-ordinator |
| Treasurer |
| Registration Council Liaison |
| Professional Development Co-ordinator |
| Education Liaison |
The HPSAANZ Registration Council 2025
- Paula Perham - Starship Hospital
- Melinda White - Christchurch Hospital
- Nicky Boyd - Whangarei Hospital
- Ana Smith - Kidz First
Additional Support
- Allied Health HPSAANZ Representative: Debbie McDougall - Tauranga Hospital
- ECAC HPSAANZ Representative: Nicky Woollaston
