Meet The Team | Waikato Family Centre

Our dedicated and passionate health professionals consist of a Centre Manager, Office Manager, Registered Nurses, Karitane Nurses and volunteers.

Abbey Weston

Registered Nurse

Kia Ora Koutou,

My name is Abby Weston and I graduated as a Registered Nurse in 2000 after training at Waikato Polytechnic. Since graduating, I have worked in many different areas including Adults, Paediatrics and the Newborn Unit. I have worked in different parts of the world , from A&E in the Torres Straight Islands and the outback, to Paediatrics in Jersey, in the Channel Islands.

I spent a long time working in the Newborn Unit in the United Kingdom, Australia, and most recently at Waikato Hospital for 10 years when my English partner and I came to Hamilton with our then one-year-old.

After working in the hospital system for a long time, I wanted some more community experience and continuity of care. I was employed by Plunket, caring for pēpi and whānau in Ngāruawāhia for two years, then transitioned to the Family Centre.

I love working with whānau and babies, supporting caregivers to work through concerns and spending time throughout the day to guide, support and educate. I particularly enjoy educating parents who are progressing their baby onto solids. I am a strong advocate for parents who need help accessing care from other health professionals. I have a passion for reducing inequity in this country and hope to contribute to this through my nursing and community work.

Robyn Harrison

Enrolled Nurse

I trained in Thames in 1982 and have worked in a variety of different areas over my 40 years of nursing, mainly with Waikato DHB.

I have wanted to work in the community for a while and feel very lucky to be working with mums and babies at the Waikato Family Centre.

I am a wife, mother of three and grandmother to many grandies.

Being a parent is so rewarding but can also be so hard. We are here to help make the journey as stress free as possible when times get difficult with your baby.

Adele Gower

Registered Nurse

I graduated from Wintec's Nursing programme at the end of 2005.

Most of my nursing experience comes from working at a medical centre. It was here and through the experience of having my three boys, that I realised I wanted to work more closely with mothers/families and babies. The first year of a baby's life can be full of joy but it can also present many challenges such as sleeping issues, which I personally struggled a lot with during my eldest son's first six months.

Working at Waikato Family Centre allows me to support mums through similar challenges and I'm able to give them strategies to manage during these times. knowing mums can leave the centre with parenting skills which help them at home and in turn allow them to enjoy their babies more is really rewarding.

When I'm not at work I can usually be found helping out on the farm with my husband and kids.

Vicki Phillips

Karitane Nurse (Casual)

Hi! I have been a Karitane Nurse at the Waikato Family Centre for the last 19 years. My journey with the centre began when I had my first baby. What a shock... talk about being thrown in the deep end. All he did was cry and he NEVER slept! As luck would have it, we ended up at the Family Centre. This ignited a passion in me to support other mums and their babies who were struggling with the parenting journey. After working with Plunket for a few years I began my time at the Family Centre and haven't left since.

I believe parenting is one of the hardest jobs we will ever have, but with a bit of help and support it can be one of the most rewarding.

Jenni Bird

Registered Nurse (Casual)

Registered Nurse since 1984
Partner to one, mother to many and grandmother to a few!
Downtime is spent on anything tennis.
My first association with the Family Centre was in 1989 after returning from working in the U.K
I then spent time raising my own family and working in paediatrics at Waikato Hospital before returning in 2016

My favourite proverb is
“It takes a village to raise a child”

Jo Wall

Mental Health Clinician

Kia ora koutou,

I am a mental health clinician/registered occupational therapist and ACT therapist who provides support for the mental wellbeing of whanau at the Waikato Family Centre. I have worked in a variety of mental health and physical health settings since graduating as an OT in 1995.

My passion is for sharing practical skills for managing distress, adjusting to parenting, and becoming the kind of parent you'd like to be. Whether you've struggled with your mental wellbeing before pregnancy or not, expecting a baby and managing those first months together is often a time of stress and distress - for all caregivers of the baby. Experiences such as fertility difficulties, health concerns or experiencing a traumatic birth can add further distress.

I can offer sessions in person or online - babies under a year old are welcome to join you. Please talk to the nursing staff at Waikato Family Center if you think you could benefit from these sessions.