Meet Our Board Members
![](https://www.hwa.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Peter-Larmer-pic-cropped-V2-500x500.png)
Peter Larmer
Chair
Having lived in West Auckland for most of his life, Peter has a strong commitment to contribute to the community he lives in.
Peter is a past Chair of Arthritis New Zealand, a member of the Ministry of Health’s Orthopaedic Sector Group and a member of the ACC Physiotherapy Expert Reference Group, Past Co-Chair of the Ministry of Health Mobility Action Programme and a previous board member of The Federation of Primary Health and The Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand. He also has a key research focus on osteoarthritis and outcome measures.
Following a 25-year career at AUT, in 2023 Peter was awarded AUT’s Reeves Honorary Fellowship in recognition of his substantial contributions to the University’s leadership, development and reputation.
![Ken Durbin, Treasurer, Hospice West Auckland Board](https://www.hwa.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Kent-Durbin-pic-cropped-500x500.jpg)
Kent Durbin
Treasurer
Kent has worked in West Auckland since 2005 and is the CFO of Douglas Pharmaceuticals. He feels privileged to be able to assist this wonderful organisation.
![](https://www.hwa.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Alex-Pimm-profile-photo-cropped-2-500x500.jpg)
Alex Pimm
Trustee
Alex lives in West Auckland with his husband, after moving to Aotearoa eight years ago. Alex joined the board in June 2023 and is keen to support Hospice West Auckland to continue to develop to meet the needs of the local community.
![Helen Franklin, Hospice West Auckland Board member](https://www.hwa.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Helen-Franklin-cropped-500x500.png)
Helen Franklin
Trustee
Helen lives in West Auckland and has first-hand family experience of Hospice West Auckland’s services. She is proud to play her part in the ongoing success and sustainability of this purpose-driven organisation.
![Ingrid Blanquisco, Trustee, Hospice West Auckland Board](https://www.hwa.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Ingrid_Profile-pic-cropped-500x500.jpg)
Ingrid Blanquisco
Trustee
Ingrid is a Business Performance Lead for Mercury NZ and is a qualified Chartered Accountant in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
Ingrid has extensive experience in senior finance and accounting roles, gained from large corporate roles in London and Auckland. She holds a BA/BCom Conjoint Degree from the University of Auckland.
Meet Our Leadership Team
Hospice West Auckland is run by a skilled, multi-disciplinary team of dedicated specialist palliative care workers and experienced support staff, assisted by a strong volunteer network.
![](https://www.hwa.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Dean-Kelly--500x500.jpg)
Dean Kelly
Chief Executive Officer
I am an innovative and transformational leader known for excellent communication, advocacy, and negotiation abilities. Under my leadership, Reconnect experienced 200% revenue growth, progressed across multiple performance indicators, and doubled the capacity of existing programs through quality practice. I hold a Master of Arts (Honours) and I am a member of the Institute of Directors.
I led the health service expansion for Ngati Whātua Orakei primarily through Ministry funding negotiations, including New Zealand's first Rongoā funding contract, smoking cessation program funding increases, and home-based care capacity expansion.
I am passionate about the healthcare sector in Aotearoa and excited about the contribution I can make as part of the Hospice West Auckland team.
![Blanka Schuster](https://www.hwa.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Blanka-headshot-square-500x500.png)
Blanka Schuster
Chief Operations Officer
committed Hospice West Auckland team. I believe that innovative technology together with effective communication enables us to improve constantly and to provide high quality services.
Coming from a corporate background I am fascinated by the passion and energy of our team towards our shared goal of providing an excellent service of specialist palliative care to our community.
I love spending time with my family and enjoy going for a walk at one of our wonderful Auckland beaches.
![](https://www.hwa.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Celia-portrait-square-500x500.png)
Celia Palmer
Palliative Medicine Specialist - Clinical Director
I am passionate about ensuring we provide a high quality service to our patients, and that we work innovatively as a team to support the needs and wishes of our patients and families. Working across Hospice West Auckland and Waitakere Hospital gives me the opportunity to provide continuity of care for our patients that is so essential to their well-being.
![](https://www.hwa.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Paul-portrait-square-1-500x500.png)
Paul Struckman
Chief Financial Officer
I'm a Chartered Accountant with extensive financial management and non-profit finance experience. One of my key passions is leveraging technology to enhance our operations by establishing robust systems and processes. This enables us to operate with the highest level of financial integrity, make informed, data-driven decisions, and ensure optimal use of our precious resources.
When the weekend comes, you’ll find me spending time with my wife and two kids, either at one of our local beaches or going off-grid in the Far North.
![](https://www.hwa.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Laura-portrait-square-500x500.png)
Laura Marshall
GM Commercial Services
If you would like to know more about how to support us, please connect with me or the team and help us on our journey of supporting patients and whānau in West Auckland.
Outside of work you’ll find me at one of our beautiful beaches working on my surfing.
![](https://www.hwa.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Cathy-portrait-square-500x500.png)
Cathy Read
GM People and Culture
I am so proud of the work Hospice does - the vital service we provide to the people of West Auckland, and the talented and committed staff and volunteers who make up our team. I am particularly interested in positive leadership culture and how leaders can impact staff satisfaction, productivity, innovation and retention. My goal is to ensure that Hospice West Auckland remains a great place for skilled professionals to work and develop their careers, supported by positive people strategies.
On a personal level, I love the beach, the garden and being out in the sunshine. I feel fortunate to live in the West and work for an organisation that supports this community in so many ways.
![Esther Bushell](https://www.hwa.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Esther-portrait-square-500x500.png)
Esther Bushell
GM Psychosocial Services
I have always had an interest in providing holistic care to patients, whanau and the community, and this embodies the philosophy of Hospice, where we use multi disciplines to provide the best quality holistic care. As GM Psychosocial Services, I lead the Social Care team who together provide for the social, psychological and emotional needs of Hospice patients and their loved ones. I love our approach of looking at everything that impacts on a patient and their journey, not just their physical needs. Being able to identify and meet each individual’s unique needs to improve their quality of life is incredibly rewarding.
I have been a keen football player and have been involved in our local football club for many years, and I also love hiking and swimming in beautiful West Auckland.
![Stella McFarlane](https://www.hwa.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Stella-portrait-square-500x500.png)
Stella McFarlane
GM Healthcare Services
My goal is to support our community team to deliver the best palliative care 24/7, and support other providers to do so, so that patients receive the compassionate care they need to live every moment of their palliative journey. My commitment is to provide care that meets the individual and collective needs of patients, their whānau and carers, and the West Auckland Community.
![](https://www.hwa.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Stephanie-portrait-square-500x500.png)
Stephanie Muncaster
Quality Manager
I ensure Hospice West Auckland meets our legislative and regulatory requirements, especially in the delivery of health services. This includes drawing on the wealth of talent we have with our staff to find practice working solutions to health and safety matters.
Outside of work, I love to spend my time in ‘anyone's’ vegetable garden, foraging for and preserving food for distribution through community pantries.
![Wyllowe Poata](https://www.hwa.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Wyllowe-portrait-square-500x500.png)
Wyllowe Poata
Kaiārahi - Cultural Lead
Ko Waiāriki te awa
Ko Māmari te waka
Ko Ngāti Kahu te iwi
Ko Ngāti Rehia te hapū
Ko Puhi o te waka te whare tūpuna
Ko Waitāruke te marae
Ko Te Au Kiwa te tangata
No Waimahana ahau
I joined the HWA whānau in 2023, bringing 13 years of experience in allied health and private practice management. Initially recruited as Learning and Development Advisor, I was promoted to the Kaiārahi role in Matariki 2024. In this leadership position, I am responsible for providing strategic guidance and ensuring that our services are delivered equitably and in a culturally safe manner, with a particular focus on Māori communities.
I hold a Bachelor of Business in Human Resource Management and Employment Relations, and take pride in having strong communication skills, unwavering commitment, and deep passion for the community I grew up in. As a proud Māori, I am dedicated to ensuring that my community is represented, consulted, and valued, especially in the realm of palliative care. I am grateful to be part of an organisation that is so dedicated to its purpose of making a meaningful impact on its community.