TE TOHU MAIMOA WINNERS for 2022
Jay Johanssen
For reflecting Companion Animals NZ value: ‘Collective & Effective’
Jay is the Cattery Manager for Paws 4 Life, a registered charity that rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes companion animals. Jay is a passionate advocate for unwanted companion animals and works with the public to educate and facilitate the removal of barriers to responsible pet ownership.
He and his team work hard to ensure over 2000 cats every year receive the shelter and care they need in the Waikato region. Jay is also proactive in helping to prevent and overcome problems. Earlier this year Jay helped establish an effective collaboration with other overwhelmed shelters in the Waikato that were struggling to remain open. These shelters worked together to use resources and strengths each had, for the greater good of the animals.
Roz Holland
For reflecting Companion Animals NZ value: ‘Collective & Effective’
Roz is altruistic in her passion for helping animals and genuinely wants what’s best for their welfare. As well as her day job, Roz works part-time as a veterinarian for the SPCA and is the Founder and Director of Animal Advocates Collective Impact NZ. This a fantastically simple yet effective initiative to raise money for animal charities. Members of the group donate a dollar a week and a different organisation is chosen on a weekly basis to receive the cumulated funds. This concept provides on average $1000 per week to an animal charity. With minimal cost to the individual resulting in a significant positive impact on organisations helping animals in New Zealand, this is an excellent example of Companion Animals NZ’s core value – Collective and Effective.
Steve and Philip Brown
For reflecting Companion Animals NZ value: ‘Respect & Compassion’
Steve and Philip Brown are the Founders and Owners of the registered charity, Takiwatanga Sanctuary Trust. ‘Takiwatanga’ translates to mean "in their own time and in their own space", a philosophy used at this animal rescue and rehome facility, where everything is treated with compassion and care. The Browns adopt a One Welfare approach as both animals and people are cared for here. The sanctuary offers respite to those with autism and their families, free of charge, and provides opportunities for them to interact with the animals. Steve and Philip are invested in helping their community keep pets at home rather than surrendering them to rescues. They facilitate this by providing animal welfare education and offering resources to struggling families to help care for their pets.
Leanne Simpkin
For reflecting Companion Animals NZ value: ‘Respect & Compassion’
Leanne is the Manager at the New Zealand Lost Pet Register, a free lost and found service that lists missing, found, stolen and impounded pets to help reunite them with their owners. This much-needed service is administered by a small team of volunteers who work remotely to cover New Zealand. Leanne embodies the Companion Animals NZ core value of Respect and Compassion, displaying empathy and compassion to both her team, and the companion animal guardians they provide assistance to. She leads by example, is professional, and provides support without judgment or bias. Leanne is a calming voice in the midst of what can be an emotional time for owners and her team.
Lucy Bell
For reflecting Companion Animals NZ value: ‘Respect & Compassion’
Lucy is the founder of Christchurch Rabbit Rescue, a non-profit rabbit rescue group, which rehomes abandoned, neglected or stray rabbits. Lucy is well known in the rabbit community for her dedication and personal commitment to improving the lives of companion rabbits. All rabbits that come into her care are desexed, vaccinated, microchipped and provided with veterinary care before they are rehomed. Lucy goes above and beyond to make sure all rabbits find the forever homes most suited to them.
Amanda Fraser-Jones
For reflecting Companion Animals NZ value: ‘Collective & Effective’
Amanda is the founder and trustee of Chained Dog Rehabilitation and Rehoming, a registered charity based in Auckland. Amanda is committed and dedicated to empowering dog owners to improve the lives of their companion dogs by providing them with the tools and guidance to do so. Amanda and her team work hard to ensure that all companion dogs have their needs met, both physically and mentally. They work with council shelters around the country and rehome any dogs that need to find a new home.
Amanda strives to bring about change in how society views responsible dog ownership and focuses on education and legislation and collaboration with other animal welfare organisations to see how this can be achieved.
Julie Chapman
For reflecting Companion Animals NZ value: ‘Respect & Compassion’
Julie is the founder and trustee of Pet Refuge, New Zealand's first shelter dedicated to temporarily housing companion animals affected by domestic violence. Julie and her team provide shelter and security for companion animals until they are able to reunite them with their owners. Owners know that their animals are safe while they start a new life free from domestic violence. Julie values the human/animal bond and provides hope for a future where companion animals and their owners can be safe and happy together.
