Mary Morrissey

Chairperson

I have been a Practice Manager and involved in PMAANZ for 20+ years. I currently work in a 6 Doctor GP practice close to the town centre of New Plymouth. I have worked in a variety of settings from an A&M extended hours clinic in Christchurch, a 70 staff practice over 3 sites and a solo practice. I was the Chairperson for the Taranaki branch and prior to that Secretary/Treasurer.

I graduated with a Bachelor of Business Studies majoring in Management in 2015 (Massey University) and completed my Diploma in Practice Management in 2016. I have completed the NZ Certificate in Adult and Tertiary teaching (Level4) and am looking forward to supporting our members with the UNE courses.

Outside of work I am the mother of 2 boys and a foster mother to multiple cats & kittens. I also work with Volunteer New Plymouth.

Carol Neki

Secretary

Tēnā koutou e hoa mā!

Ko Tongariro te maunga

Ko Te Wairehu te awa

Ko Te arawa to waka 

Ko Ngati Hikairo te hapu

Ko Ngati Tuwharetoa te iwi

Ko Carol Neki ahau

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to apply for a position on the PMAANZ Executive board.

I have been in the Practice manager role for 7 years now; however, I have worked in the primary health care setting for 26 years. I believe that my experience, skills, and dedication make me a strong candidate for this role.

Some of the skills I have acquired over the years include strategic planning, problem-solving, and decision-making, which I believe are crucial for effective board governance.

I run a very busy 10.5k patient practice in the heart of South Auckland, and I have a strong passion to improve equitable outcomes for Māori and pacific. My day-to-day role includes, Payroll, financial accounting and reporting, recruitment, reporting to the shareholders, sole autonomy to make business and financial decisions in the practice.

In addition to my professional experience, I have experience in dealing with Primary Health 

Organizations, Ministry of health org, Health and Disability Advocacy, Te Whatu Ora, and Māori/Pacific health providers, this has provided me with valuable insights into board governance, including the importance of collaboration, transparency, and accountability.

If elected to the board, I commit to dedicating my time, energy, and expertise to furthering the 

organization's mission. I will actively contribute to discussions, provide thoughtful insights, and make informed decisions that align with the organization's best interests.

Thank you for considering my nomination. I look forward to the opportunity to serve on the board and contribute to the continued success of the organization if elected.

Wendy Harris

Treasurer

It is an honour to have been nominated to serve on the PMAANZ Executive Board and I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing success of PMAANZ.   

I graduated from Waikato University with a Bachelor of Social Sciences and then returned to University in my adulthood to complete postgraduate studies in Health Sciences and Social Work Supervision. I have been fortunate to have worked in a number of social services and health organisations throughout my career including youth work and community mental health, eventually becoming a team leader which introduced me to business management and policy. An opportunity to teach business studies at Te Wananga o Aotearoa strengthened my interest in business and supporting staff which led to a role as an HR consultant. Through this role I was introduced to Cambridge Medical Centre who invited me to apply for the role as Business Manager. I have been with this amazing team for seven years and got involved with PMAANZ very early on, eventually becoming the Chair for the PMAANZ Waikato Branch.

Outside of work I am an avid runner (watch out as I might drag you along with me!), am married to Mike and have two gorgeous daughters Sophie and Lillie.

Karen Greer

Communications

I have been a Practice Manager Specialist in the rural sector for 20+ years. I have also been involved with PMAANZ for quite a few of those years. I have always enjoyed the comradery of Practice Managers around the motu, the networking and support of others is what I enjoy.

I have lived in Bulls most of my life. The support of my husband Toni and my Girls, Ashley and Renee is one of the reasons I have put my hand up for becoming part of the Executive team. Also I am privileged to have the support from my Directors Dr Dave Baldwin and Dr Ken Young.

Work is a big part of my life. When I am not working. enjoy gardening, reading and traveling around Aotearoa. 

Being part of the Executive Committee will be a challenge and I am looking forward to collaborating with new members of PMAANZ to help out where needed.

Jennifer (Jen) Kaponga

Conference Convenor

Hi everyone, my name is Jen and I am from the North Shore, Auckland. 

I am the Operation Manager at Auckland ENT Group, a private practice of ENT specialists, and have been since 2015. Prior to that I spent four years as Team Leader in WDHB’s Patient Services Centre, my first foray into health, after 25 years in local government. Working with Consultants, patients and families brought out my passion for health and I have loved my new role.

I joined PMAANZ in 2015, attracted by the support of the Organisation. Private practice can be isolating and PMAANZ has provided me, insight and clarity on many issues that other members have faced.

Although I am new to the committee, I am very excited to be part of the PMAANZ Executive team and look forward to representing our members and providing my knowledge and experience gained from both DHB and private sector health management. I am a natural ‘social networker’ and therefore the ‘Communications/Webmaster’ portfolio seemed a natural fit!

Outside work I am married to Ratapu (29 years) and have two sons and six grandchildren. I am a bit of a collector of shoes and handbags (which can get me into trouble with hubby!). I enjoy fishing and hiking, going to the gym and spending time with friends and family.

Niomi Fleming

Education

Kia Ora! My name is Niomi and I have been working in primary care for the last 11 years. I have recently stepped into a new role as Practice Manager for third age health, where I am managing 53 facilities. I am passionate about education and upskilling, and am currently helping two baby Practice Managers navigate the world of general practice.

PMAANZ is a wonderful organisation. The incredible support I receive from Practice Managers all across New Zealand is invaluable! For the last 11 years my goal was to be part of PMAANZ, so when the opportunity came to be on the executive I jumped at the chance.

Through PMAANZ I have completed my bronze and silver papers, I am about halfway through my gold, and at the 2022 conference I was awarded the UNE scholarship to complete the Practice Manager diploma. I will be eternally grateful for everything PMAANZ has helped me achieve, and to pay it forward I will give 110% to the executive committee.

Outside of work I enjoy motorsport, cars and motorsport. I live in rural Auckland with my partner Daniel and my two black cats, Stella and Arthur- I am for sure, a crazy cat lady!

Ruth Mansell

Membership

Thank you for the privilege of serving on the PMAANZ Executive. I am honoured to contribute to such a dedicated and inspiring team.

I have been working at GP Central for the past 23 years. I began as a receptionist and was in that role for 10 years before stepping into being Practice Manager. We are a team of 13 GPs, 10 nurses, and 8 administrative staff spread across two clinics. We have over 14,000 patients and growing

I believe in the strength of our profession to support one another and to grow stronger together. I enjoy assisting other Practice Managers whenever I can and learning from the innovative ways other practices operate.

I’m looking forward to contributing to the PMAANZ community and growing alongside peers who share a commitment to leadership, innovation and best practice in healthcare management.

My husband and I live on a semi-rural lifestyle block of land, in West Auckland, while our two adult daughters are off doing their own adventures.