National Council

John van der Heyden: (President)

John is based in Wellington, is a family member with a close association with Atareira, Wellington’s SFNZ branch, as the Chair of its governance board. Atareira provides family/whanau support, education, housing and vocational training. John has retired from 37 years in the New Zealand Police and is now employed by the New Zealand Police Association. John's motivation and commitment to the voluntary roles with SFNZ arises from a sense of duty to repay the organisation for the timely, effective and ongoing support to his family. His professional experiences in dealing with the effects of mental illness in a policing context equips him well to understand the pressures on family / whanau when their loved one with a mental illness if forced to navigate through the array of services in the health, social development and justice systems.

Fiona Perry: (Treasurer)

Fiona is a member of the local Whanganui committee, and a family member. She has a daughter who has depression and was introduced to SF by a friend and has valued the support provided. She is employed as a Senior Service Facilitator in NASC (Needs Assessment Service Co-ordination Service) supporting people over 65 with age related disability. Married with 2 adult children; her husband is semi-retired and supportive of her involvement. Currently in her second year of study for a postgrad diploma in Disability studies – sponsored by the Ministry of Health.

Jim Crowe: (Media Spokesperson)

Jim has been a community worker and advocate for over 30 years, 27 of these in the area of mental illness which began with his appointment by SF Otago as their first Fieldworker.

Jim’s involvement with Schizophrenia Fellowship (NZ), including four years as President, led onto him being elected in 1996 to the Board of the World Fellowship for Schizophrenia and Allied Disorders (WFSAD) of which he served terms as Vice President, President, and Chairman Asia Region. WFSADs' main role was to strengthen families affected by mental illness. This led to Jim visiting  Japan, China, Hong Kong, Korea, Australia, England, Ireland, Holland, France, Germany, Argentina, USA, Hawaii, Singapore, Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Taiwan, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Iran, Egypt, Indonesia, Uruguay and Thailand where he was involved in delivering educational workshops, running discussion groups for both families and professionals and supporting the establishment of National Family organizations. 

Jim also ran workshops, and gave papers at conferences and symposiums in many of these countries, and supported the establishment of the Asian Brain Bank by the Fukushima University, Japan. His responsibility for the Asian region led onto the formation of an Asian Forum where ten countries met annually to share their achievements and make plans for the future. He is also involved in a number of Trusts in his hometown of Dunedin and nationally. Jim was awarded a 1990 Commemorative Medal by Her Majesty for services to New Zealand, particularly for work with individuals and families affected by mental illness. He was a member of the 1996 Commission of Enquiry into Mental Health Services in New Zealand chaired by Judge Ken Mason. This led to the Mental health Commission being set up, Early Intervention Services, Like Minds, Like Mine and better funding to Youth and Adolescents’ and to the community in general.

He is a Foundation Member of both the RANZCP Community Collaboration Committee and the Board of Practice and Partnerships. He now sits as an observer on the General Council of the College. This is the first time in the history of the College (RANZCP) that a community person has held such a position. In 2004 he was a recipient of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatry Citation for Unique and Outstanding Contribution in Advocating for Improved Mental Health Services.

RANZCP = Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatry

Voice on psychiatrists' body article by Elspeth McLean

Sarah Davies

Sarah Davies is a family and committee member of Supporting Families Auckland. Coming from a public policy background, Sarah has worked for and lobbied government in New Zealand and overseas.

While living in the Netherlands, she moved into a fundraising and partnership role for an international development foundation established with funds from Nike, Goldman Sachs and other corporate investors. This experience allowed Sarah to develop her understanding of fundraising and partnership best practice.

Sarah has enjoyed sharing her fundraising and partnership knowledge with the committee and staff of Supporting Families Auckland and further developing her understanding with guidance from the Fundraising Institute of New Zealand. Sarah currently manages a multi-sector partnership project on behalf of Sport New Zealand and Auckland Council.

Ngarue Tukaki Kim Ratapu

Kim has personal experience of the impact severe mental illness has on whanau and this experience lead him to become involved with Supporting Families. His passion and drive for the work of Supporting Families grew significantly during his time as Chairperson of the Rotorua branch.

Kim has spent over 12 years as a Police officer and in a variety of roles and is now based at the Royal New Zealand Police College where he is a Kaiwawao Strategic Advisor and Manager of Cultural Services.

Anne Mokhtar

Anne has been an active committee member of SF Nelson for the past 8 years and secretary for the last 2 years and has good knowledge of the running of meetings. Anne has been involved in the rationalisation discussions that have been occurring in the Top of the South Island region.

Anne believes that communication, especially with the all SF branches is very important and feels that asking questions and fully understanding concepts and procedures are very important.

Anne became involved with SF Nelson after her daughter was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2000. She is a Nelsonian resident and live in the rural area of Wakefield. Anne is married and has three children. She works with her husband in Real Estate at present and prior to that was a primary school teacher specialising in working with children who have special needs.

Tom Attword

Tom is a family member and Committee Chair of the Supporting Families Rotorua branch. Tom has served on various schools, sports and work committees in a variety of roles and is currently the Chairman of the Te Aratu Trust Board Rotorua and President of the RSA Snooker club. Tom has 25 years experience with the Royal New Zealand Air Force and 15 years experience with Caltex New Zealand. He has a Diploma in Business from the University of Auckland.

Sandra Terewi

Sandra is the Chair of the Supporting Families Whanganui branch. In addition to this role Sandra is also involved in a variety of other governance positions both at a local and national level. She is the Chairperson National COGS Committee, Past President NZPARS, Past Vice President Alzheimers Society New Zealand, Committee Member of the Wanganui JP Association and a Panel member for the Taranaki/Whanganui Community Response Fund. At a local level Sandra is also Chair of Sexual Abuse Healing Centre and President of the local PARS. Sandra has previously been awarded the QSM for her services to the community.

Sandra is heavily involved with community organisations through her work, advising and assisting them in the legal requirements that are associated with operating community organisations. She acts a mediator when required by many community organisations. Sandra has in-depth knowledge of Community organisations within the Whanganui area and is very passionate about services provided to the community by the community.