(Te Whakatōhea rāua ko Ngāti Porou)

Formerly a veterinarian, Dr Curtis Walker retrained in human medicine and practices as a kidney specialist and general physician in Palmerston North Hospital.  Curtis’s career has involved secondary and tertiary clinical care as well as roles across governance and public policy.  He serves on the Kidney Health NZ Board and chaired the Medical Council for 5 years, as well as serving as Deputy Chair on the Māori Doctors Association (Te ORA), and completing a term on the Te Whatu Ora board.

Having spent time at Arohanui during his training, Curtis is proud to be part of a dedicated team, helping to deliver our important care to the people and whānau of our community.

A partner at Freebairn & Hehir, Lawyers, John Freebairn has been a board member since 2004 and was Chairman from 2011 to 2019. He is involved in several other community and charitable groups including the Anglican Church, and provides legal advice and committee support. John has been a lawyer for over 40 years, is a past President of the Rotary Club of Palmerston North and has honoured by the Rotary Club with the Paul Harris Fellowship and Sapphire pin. John lives on the outskirts of Palmerston North with his wife Vicki, and they have four adult children. John says he is pleased to be able to combine his enjoyment of the Manawatū lifestyle and people with his legal and personal skills to assist the work of Arohanui Hospice.

(Ngati Te Wehi, Tainui)

Tomina has experienced Arohanui’s care firsthand, walking alongside whānau during a loved one’s hospice journey. She witnessed the aroha and manaakitanga that underpins the hospice team’s mahi. Grounded in Te Ao Māori values, Tomina brings governance experience across several not-for-profit boards focused on social impact and wellbeing. A military veteran, Tomina is proud to now serve in a new way with Arohanui, supporting whānau and patients’ individual needs through governance with compassion and care.

Bryan has extensive governance experience with agricultural and community-based organisations. He spent 45 years dairy farming in the Manawatu and has served as director on several dairy industry and agricultural research boards. His community involvement includes philanthropic, heritage and rural support organisations, schools, and his local Anglican church. Bryan and his wife Joanne live near Feilding and place a great importance on family, relationships and mental and physical well-being.

Bryan joined the Board in 2021. He has immense respect and appreciation of what has been achieved by the dedicated volunteers and staff of Arohanui and he values the opportunity to build on their legacy.

Daniel has passion for technology and business, having worked with businesses across New Zealand for the past twenty years in the technology sector.  Daniel is currently CEO of Yorb, living close to Palmerston North with his family.

Murray is, or has been, a governor of a number of local organisations, both “for profit” and “not for profit”, covering diverse sectors including health, infrastructure, agri-tech and performing arts.  Murray became a Trustee of Arohanui Hospice in 2016.

David brings executive and governance experience across private and government sectors, with a background in disability, immigration, energy, and tourism.
Together with his wife, he owns and operates House of Travel The Square. Passionate about giving back, David has proudly served on the Arohanui Hospice Board since 2020, supporting its vital and enduring work.

Sharon Wards brings with her a diverse background in science, health, and governance.  She resides in Dannevirke and until recently she had the privilege of leading Tararua Health Group, a role she held for over 21 years.  During that time she worked closely with Arohanui Hospice so appreciates the value of delivery of our services into rural communities.  She serves as a District Councillor, is a keen farmer, and advocates for many health and social services within Tararua through her membership on many committees.

Andy Thompson is a new Trustee with the Arohanui Hospice and comes from Ballance not far from Pahiatua. He and his wife Marianne live on a small holder block.  Andy is currently the GM Human Resources for Trust House Ltd in Masterton and has been a previous Tararua District Councillor prior to working in the Pacific for the last few years. He enjoys the country life and sees service as a Trustee with the Hospice, a privilege within the greater community.

Julie Knighton is a people leader, strategy implementer and business improver.  Having worked at Fonterra and MyFarm, Julie enjoys helping people thrive in businesses where systems, processes and strategies work.  Julie currently works for NZTA.

Christina brings a diverse background in innovation, strategy and marketing with leadership experience spanning the private sector, government and co-founding a startup. She lives with her husband Stephen and two daughters on a lifestyle block in Aokautere, where they are actively involved in their children’s sporting and community activities. Her husband runs a local structural engineering consultancy, while Christina is the Strategy, Impact & Engagement Manager at the Ag Emissions Centre. She is thrilled to be joining the Arohanui Hospice team and looks forward to contributing to its meaningful and impactful work.