TE TOHU MAIMOA WINNERS

Zoey Jackson 

Education and Engagement Officer, Waikato Pound Pups (WDC) 

Zoey Jackson’s dedication to dog welfare shines through her work with Waikato Pound Pups. From her involvement with the ‘Take the Lead, Don’t Let Them Breed’ campaign to hands-on education in local schools, Zoey actively champions responsible pet ownership. Her ‘Dirty Dog Challenge’ and ‘Pound Pups Pool Parties’ fundraisers are not only fun but also crucial in supporting desexing and rehoming initiatives. With an extensive online community of over 26,000 followers, Zoey’s creative and passionate approach makes her a beloved advocate for dog welfare in the Waikato community. 

Dr Jess Beer 

For reflecting Companion Animals NZ values: ‘Respect & Compassion, Collective & Effective, Quality & Integrity’  

Jess is an accredited veterinary behaviourist and the Founder and Director of Kiwi Vet Behaviour, a team of qualified trainers who provide compassionate and science-based services including veterinary behaviour consultations, training packages, educational workshops, and classes for dogs of all ages. Jess recently (January 2023) opened the first veterinary behaviour clinic in NZ, a facility where companion animals and their guardians can come together with professionals in a safe environment. 

Jess’s passion for her work to help pets and their guardians succeed is clear, and she demonstrates all our core values in her drive to help achieve A Good Life for companion animals. 

Thomas Henry 

For reflecting Companion Animals NZ values: ‘Respect & Compassion, Collective & Effective’  

Thomas is a Māori Warden at the Otahuhu Māori Wardens Association and is a valued member of his community. During the recent weather events in the Auckland region, Thomas worked tirelessly collaborating with key organisations involved in the animal welfare response. His kindness and compassion provided support and reassurance to members of the flood-impacted communities of Auckland and his outreach work was instrumental in addressing the welfare needs of people and their animals in the affected communities. 

Shelley Cocker  

For reflecting Companion Animals NZ values: ‘Respect & Compassion’  

Shelley is the Nurse Manager at The Strand Veterinarian. Through her work using cooperative care,  

Shelley is committed to ensuring her companion animal patients receive the best experience possible whilst in the clinic environment. Her work with more anxious companion animals and their guardians has a significant effect on the psychological, emotional, and physical wellbeing of these animals. 

Shelley demonstrates respect and compassion on a daily basis and is a role model for the practical application of these values.  

Julia Milley 

For reflecting Companion Animals NZ values: ‘Respect & Compassion, Collective & Effective’ 

Julia runs Queenstown Cat Rescue and is a dedicated and humble advocate for unwanted cats. She is well known and respected for her work with cats in the Wakatipu District and surrounding areas and is the go-to person for lost or stray cats in need. Julia coordinates and implements all aspects of rescue work, with a focus on reducing the stray cat population and is a strong advocate for desexing and microchipping of all companion and stray cats.  

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’ 

Amanda Fraser-Jones 

For reflecting Companion Animals NZ value: ‘Collective & Effective’ 

Julie Chapman  

For reflecting Companion Animals NZ value: ‘Respect & Compassion’ 

ALAN PARKER

Alan Parker is the Founder and Director of Avian Rescue Otago, a not-for-profit bird rescue and rehabilitation centre in Alexandra. As a qualified veterinary nurse, Alan brings his medical expertise to providing care for all manner of feathered friends, from chickens and parrots to wild species such as hawks.

Alan is never one to give up when there’s a chance to save a life and is often found at all hours and places looking for injured or displaced birds that have been reported to him. As passionate about companion birds as he is about wildlife, Alan also offers a mobile avian vet nursing service to help the birds of Otago live a happy and healthy life.