Our Team
Ross Haggart
Executive Director
Ross has over 30 years’ experience in social work clinical and management roles within government. Prior to joining Family Help Trust in 2019 he was the Children’s Team Director in Oranga Tamariki and was previously the Canterbury Regional Manager within Child Youth and Family.
Executive Director
Ross has over 30 years’ experience in social work clinical and management roles within government. Prior to joining Family Help Trust in 2019 he was the Children’s Team Director in Oranga Tamariki and was previously the Canterbury Regional Manager within Child Youth and Family.
Bill Pringle
Practice Manager
Bill is a registered social worker with many years experience in the statutory sector before joining Family Help Trust in his current role in late 2002. Bill oversees the practice of FHT clinical staff and is the point of intake for referrals to the Safer Families programme and post-Family Group Conference support.
Practice Manager
Bill is a registered social worker with many years experience in the statutory sector before joining Family Help Trust in his current role in late 2002. Bill oversees the practice of FHT clinical staff and is the point of intake for referrals to the Safer Families programme and post-Family Group Conference support.
Jeanette Patrick
Office Manager
Jeanette has been the Family Help Trust Office Manager since 2006. Her responsibilities include finance, general office admin and fund raising.
Office Manager
Jeanette has been the Family Help Trust Office Manager since 2006. Her responsibilities include finance, general office admin and fund raising.
Don Elder
Board Chair
Don has 30 years experience in executive management and governance in NZ and internationally. He's currently a director of a number of companies and is also Independent Chair of the Canterbury Clinical Network. Before joining FHT's Board in 2017 he worked with FHT for several years to help develop its long term strategy.
Board Members
Charles Knibb (Treasurer)
Lesley Campbell (Deputy Chair)
Janetta Skiba
Jessica Babe
Chris Rewha
Mahlon Saumalu
Board Chair
Don has 30 years experience in executive management and governance in NZ and internationally. He's currently a director of a number of companies and is also Independent Chair of the Canterbury Clinical Network. Before joining FHT's Board in 2017 he worked with FHT for several years to help develop its long term strategy.
Board Members
Charles Knibb (Treasurer)
Lesley Campbell (Deputy Chair)
Janetta Skiba
Jessica Babe
Chris Rewha
Mahlon Saumalu
Safer Families Service – Six qualified, professional social workers provide home-based intensive social work services to vulnerable children under five years of age to reduce their risk profile which will contribute to improved life outcomes
Mana Ake - Stronger for Tomorrow – We are contracted to Health NZ for the Mana Ake – Stronger for Tomorrow service being delivered through schools to children in Years 1 to 8 who are facing ongoing challenges which affect their health and well-being. We have 5 staff working in this programme.
Mana Ake - Stronger for Tomorrow – We are contracted to Health NZ for the Mana Ake – Stronger for Tomorrow service being delivered through schools to children in Years 1 to 8 who are facing ongoing challenges which affect their health and well-being. We have 5 staff working in this programme.
Family Help Trust Patrons
Dame Lesley Max, has been a strong advocate for New Zealand children for many years and is the former CEO of the Great Potentials Foundation - "helping children, young people and families to flourish" - and has been an enthusiastic supporter of the Family Help Trust since its inception in 1990. In the 2010 New Years Honour's list she was made a dame companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to children.
Libby Robins ONZM Winston Churchill Fellow, has a background in Social Work and Psychotherapy. She was a founding director and managed the Family Help Trust for more than 30 years. She has a passion for developing and implementing early intervention services. In the 2017 New Years Honour's List Libby was named as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to children's welfare.
Libby Robins ONZM Winston Churchill Fellow, has a background in Social Work and Psychotherapy. She was a founding director and managed the Family Help Trust for more than 30 years. She has a passion for developing and implementing early intervention services. In the 2017 New Years Honour's List Libby was named as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to children's welfare.