EXECUTIVE BOARD MAke Up

The Board of Trustees comprises of representatives of 6 perpetual stakeholders, listed below. In addition the Board can co-opt on Open Position Trustees with expertise in a variety of fields.

• RNZSPCA Representative

• NZVA Representative

• NZVNA Representative

• Dogs New Zealand Representative

• NZ Cat Fancy Representative

• NZIAM Representative

• Up to 6 x open positions

CHAIR OF THE BOARD - Steven Thompson

NZ Kennel Club Representative (secretary@dogsnz.org.nz)

Skills & Experience:

Due to a complete inability to career plan Steven has enjoyed a diverse number of roles which has included  highlights such a being part of the project team which established the Zealandia Sanctuary in Wellington, meeting David Bowie backstage after his last NZ show and hosting the All White v Bahrain World Cup qualifier match.

Steven’s C.V. lists skills in strategic planning, governance, business development, marketing and funding raising which impressed someone enough to offer him the role of Director Secretary of Dogs New Zealand. Despite being responsible for New Zealand’s pedigree dog registry he admits to owning a much loved scruffy cross breed which makes a great agility sports dog but is hopeless at any obedience competition.

Deputy chair - SArah brittain

Open position

Skills & Experience:

I am a Business and Technology Change advisor with 25 years of experience delivering complex transformation projects.

I have worked across a range of different sectors in both government and private organisations, specialising in human-centered design, transformation, and service delivery. I have experience in collaborating across a diverse range of stakeholders.

In addition to my professional background, I have a passion for animal health and welfare. I was able to combine my skills and dedication to animals by opening and operating a Canine Hydrotherapy clinic.

My motivation for being on the board is to continue contributing toward improving the quality of life of companion animals and ensure that the right resources are in place to serve pets and their owners long into the future.

 QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor of Physical Education

• Diploma in Small Animal Hydrotherapy

• Certificate in Canine Psychology and Training

Dr Arnja Dale

RNZSPCA Representative

Skills & experience:

Published animal welfare scientist. Over the last 15 years has focussed on animal shelter welfare and has worked with shelters across the world.

Has previously been an SPCA Auckland Board Member. Former Senior Lecturer in Animal Welfare at Unitec Institute of Technology.

Currently Chief Scientific Officer at SPCA New Zealand.

Qualifications:

• Graduate Diploma in Not-For-Profit Management and Leadership

• Bachelor of Science in Zoology and Psychology

• Graduate Diploma in Higher Education

• Masters of Science (Honours) in Veterinary Studies and Conservation Genetics.

• Masters of Science in Applied Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare.

• Doctorate (PhD) in Canine Behaviour and Welfare.

Professional memberships:

• National Animal Welfare Emergency Management Committee Member

• Animal Ethics Committee Member

• Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (UK) Member

• Ambassador for Compassion in World Farming

• Research Associate for the New Zealand Centre for Human-Animal

• Studies (Canterbury University).

SUE BROWN - TREASURER

Open Position

Skills & Experience:

A Chartered Accountant, Sue has worked in several different industries as Chief Financial Officer or Chief Executive in the public and the private sectors which has led to owning and – as executive director – playing an active part in the management of a small aged care hospital in South Auckland.

She has also had the privilege of serving on many boards of companies, charitable trusts and committees and has just completed a term as Deputy Chair on the Northland District Health Board – a ministerial appointment.

Serving six years on the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee enhanced Sue’s interest in animal welfare.

Married to a veterinarian, Sue has served as Director and Company Secretary for a medium to large veterinary practice and as Chief Executive for a larger veterinary practice.

Sue is looking forward to bringing her experience in governance roles in audit, finance and risk committees, proficiency with the new Charities reporting standards through having audited several NFP and community organisations and a proficiency in Xero to Companion Animals NZ as its treasurer.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Chartered Accountant (CA)

• Bachelor of Business Studies (Accountancy) – Massey University

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP

• Member, Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand

Amy Ross

NZ Veterinary Nursing Association Representative

Skills & Experience:

After working for a few months at a private small animal clinic, Amy began working as a veterinary nurse for SPCA Auckland where she was based for 9 years.

After leaving SPCA Auckland, Amy taught the veterinary nursing students at Unitec for two years.Amy is currently a veterinary nurse at Auckland Zoo, starting in 2011.

While she does work with a wide variety of captive wild animals she has also gained a lot of experience working with species that are commonly kept as pets in NZ, such as Budgies and Cockatiels, Zebra Finches, Bearded Dragons and Blue Tongue Skinks.

Qualifications & professional memberships:

• Certificate in Veterinary Nursing 1997

• Diploma in Veterinary Nursing 2006

• Amy has been on the Executive Committee (EC) of the New Zealand

• Veterinary Nursing Association (NZVNA) since 2008.

• Over this time she has held a variety of portfolios, including journal editor for four years.

kieran best

New Zealand Institute of Animal Management (NZIAM) Representative

Skills & Experience:

Formerly the New Zealand Institute of Animal Control Officers (NZIACO), the New Zealand Institute of Animal Management (NZIAM) is an incorporated society that has been proudly functioning for the last 50 years. The NZIAM represents professional animal management officers from throughout New Zealand providing

The NZIAM aims to provide its members with support, resources and training that will allow them to develop within their careers and to provide their communities with a professional level of service. Provide a platform that members can be kept up to date on National and International trends and events within the animal management industry.

Zena Pigden

NZ Cat Fancy Representative

Skills & experience:

Over 20 years of experience as a social worker in a neurological rehabilitation unit, requiring excellent communication and engagement skills with a wide variety of people and situations. Zena has held a number of informal leadership roles during this time, including currently heading the group of social workers involved in physical disability rehabilitation in the Southern District Health Board.

Twenty years practical experience as a breeder (Birmans and then Maine Coons). Participation in the show scene both as an exhibitor and as a cat show judge. Twelve years of service to the NZCF on the Breed Standards Advisory Committee. Initiated the NZCF Breeding Practices Project and oversaw a review of the NZCF Breeder Code of Conduct. Served on the NZCF Executive Council, including three years as Chair. Past President and founding member of the NZ Maine Coon Cat Club. Currently Treasurer and Show Secretary for the Southern Cross All Breeds Cat Club.

Qualifications and professional memberships:

• BA (Hons) Modern Languages

• Bachelor of Social Work

• Registered Social Worker (Social Workers Registration Board).

Becky Murphy

NZ Veterinary Association Representative

Skills & Experience

Becky is a companion animal veterinarian with experience in genetics, animal welfare advocacy, clinical practice, and governance.  She is the current President of the New Zealand Veterinary Association Companion Animal Veterinarians Special Interest Branch, member of the World Small Animal Veterinarian Association Hereditary Disease Committee and is the NZVA representative on the Companion Animals New Zealand Board.   

Becky spent seven years as Canine Health and Welfare Officer for Dogs New Zealand (NZ Kennel Club) and 14 years in clinical practice, now restricted to canine genetic disorder screening and theriogenology. 

She is passionate about using genetic disorder testing, selecting against extreme conformation, improving genetic diversity, and making good breeding decisions with the welfare of the dogs at the forefront. 

Qualifications and professional memberships:

BVSc BSc

ANDREW HANNAN

Open Position

Skills & Experience:

Andrew has over 20 years of experience in Information Technology.  During this time, he has held several technical and commercial roles including, but not limited to, Technical Lead, Solution Architect, Development Manager, Business Manager and General Manager. Andrew’s current role is Director, Software Development for Xplor Technologies. In this role he manages a global team of software engineers working on Fitness & Wellbeing products. For CANZ, asides from filling an open position on the board, Andrew also chairs the IT/Commercial subcommittee.

QUALIFICATIONS 

•         Post Graduate Diploma in Management 

·         Bachelor of Engineering with Honours 

Vicki Hamilton

Open Position

Skills & Experience:

Corporate Affairs advisor covering all aspects of the marketing communication skill set including public relations and advocacy and with speciality in issues management and sustainability.  Strong stakeholder engagement  with Government, regulatory authorities, tertiary education, NGO sectors and NZ Dairy farming community.

Currently in a corporate role with Mars Inc spearheading the development of a project around the Positive Experience of Having a Pet (PEHP) and eliminating pet homelessness. Governance experience includes Board/Executive membership of the NZ Pet Food Manufacturers Association, NZ Nutrition Foundation and Food Industry Group.

My key motivation for being  on the Board is to educate people around the intelligence and emotional needs of companion animals in order for them to have A Good Life

Qualifications & professional memberships:

• Bachelor of Science

• Masters of Science (Dip) Nutrition

• Post graduate study with papers in marketing and business.

Nat Waran

Director: A Good Life for Animals Centre
nat@companionanimals.nz

Skills & experience:

Nat is an internationally recognised animal behaviour and welfare senior scientist, educator and opinion leader with extensive experience working with veterinary organisations, universities, NGOs and governments in different parts of the world but has spent a considerable amount of time working in China, India and other parts of Asia.

She gained a First-Class Honours Zoology Degree from Glasgow University and completed her PhD studies in Applied Animal Welfare at Cambridge University veterinary school, sponsored by the BVA (British Veterinary Association).  Over the past 30+ years she has held various senior strategic roles within tertiary organisations in NZ and the UK, as well as being a trustee for a number of international animal welfare organisations.  She led the development of several internationally influential PG Masters and Undergraduate Programmes in Animal Behaviour and Welfare, and as the inaugural director, she established the Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education at the University of Edinburgh’s Veterinary School.

She and her family (including dogs, cats and horses) returned to NZ in 2016, where she took up the role of Professor of One Welfare and Executive Dean at EIT in Hawke’s Bay. She continues to collaborate with international research groups to advance animal quality of life and has recently been appointed as inaugural Director of the new ‘A Good Life for Animals’ collaborative Research and Human Behaviour Change Centre funded by Companion Animals New Zealand.

Qualifications & professional memberships:

• Bachelor of Science (Hons)

• PhD (Cantab) Animal Behaviour and Welfare

GOSIA ZOBEL

Animal Welfare Programmes Coordinator gosia@companionanimals.nz

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

Gosia has nearly two decades of experience in animal behaviour and welfare research. She is dedicated to understanding and improving how animals in human care experience their lives.

Her studies have spanned a variety of species including dairy goats, cows, sheep, rodents, and piglets. She has an immense interest in the natural behaviour of animals and how it can be used to understand the needs of individuals. She has a small herd of goats that supply her family’s milk, and who periodically contribute to Gosia’s personal quest for testing and developing goat housing and enrichment options.

Gosia completed her MSc and PhD at the University of British Columbia’s Animal Welfare Program (Canada). She has been in Aotearoa New Zealand since 2015 and maintains a strong network of national and international collaborators.

 Qualifications:

• BA (Hons.) Geography and Health Studies

• Master of Animal Science

• PhD Applied Animal Biology

Rebecca Cameron

Marketing and Communications Manager rebecca@companionanimals.nz

Skills & Experience:

Rebecca joined CANZ in January 2024 and is an experienced communications professional, having worked across many industries in New Zealand, London and Sydney.

Her first step into animal welfare began at SPCA in 2019, where she worked for four years in the Communications Team.

With a Bachelor in Arts, majoring in Political Science, International Relations and Media Studies, Rebecca is passionate about using communication to improve animal welfare outcomes.

NICOLA MCDONALD

Animal Welfare Operations Officer nicola@companionanimals.nz

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

Nicola is a qualified vet with over 16 years of experience in the veterinary industry. She has worked as a senior veterinarian in the Central North Island and as an equine vet in her own practice, focusing on providing high quality equine dentistry services.

Nicola joined the CANZ ‘Good Life for Animals’ Centre in February 2024 after feeling drawn to the research-based approach and feeling very motivated to further the education of companion animal guardians in New Zealand. She is currently loving her own training journey with her very attentive little Jack Russell cross Annie.

Nicola lives on a Hereford stud farm near Taupo and is passionate about animal health and wellbeing of animals, especially dogs and horses.

Qualifications and professional memberships:

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine 2006 (DVM, Copenhagen)

• New Zealand National Veterinary Examination 2007 (NZNVE)

• Certificate in Business Management 2016

• Member, NZVA (New Zealand Veterinary Association)