President

Kate has been part of Wellington Hospital Chaplaincy Team for six years. Kate finds the ministry of 'presence' has remarkable potential for healing and wellbeing. Kate is curious about how to promote access to relevant and timely Pastoral and Spiritual Care for all people, (including people who do not connect with religion) how to best support chaplains, and also to advocate for our profession within healthcare.

In the hospital, Kate particularly enjoys Mental Health support and raising the awareness and understanding of our role. She has trained and currently supports Voluntary Chaplain Assistants (VCA) and initiated the annual Chaplains and VCA Reflection days for the region. She holds a bachelor’s degree in theology, Masters Music Therapy, certificates in Supervision and Quality Improvement facilitation, and has one Clinical Pastoral Education unit.

Kate identifies as Tangata Tiriti and enjoys learning Te Reo and Kapa Haka. Raised in an Irish Catholic culture, she brings skills from Social Work (including Child Protection) from Parish Ministry (Upper Hutt, Christchurch, Levin) and from Music Therapy. She connects with Te Ngākau Tapu catholic parish, L’Arche (an ecumenical community of people with and without “disabilities”), Kapiti Quakers, and is also informed by Buddhist practice. On the weekends, Kate is outdoors, socialising, biking or in the community gardens.