Zoe Berry  

Group General Manager

In my very early 20s I became Registered General Nurse.  For several years I worked predominantly in theatre and day surgery during which time I had 2 children Tilly and Chester

In 2000 I moved to primary health where I became a practice nurse for a busy general practice where my specialty was respiratory disease and allergies. 

In 2004 I moved to NZ with my family.  For a year I worked as a practice nurse and then was lucky enough to be offered a position as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in pre-operative assessment at Whangarei Hospital.  During my time there I transitioned the clinic to a Nurse Led Clinic and completed my Post Graduate Diploma in Health Science. 

After 4 years with Northland DHB I wanted a new challenge and applied for the position of General Manager for Kamo Home and Village Charitable Trust.  My time to date with the Trust has been challenging, rewarding and provided me the most incredible learning opportunities.

The Trust has grown significantly over the last 9 years and I am looking forward to continuing my journey with the trust for a little while yet.

I am passionate about people and bringing out the best in them and plan to expand my knowledge and proficiency in professional coaching and mentoring.

NZ is now well and truly my home and I feel very blessed.

Tony Smith

Senior Manager - Maintenance and Asset Manager

I was born in Taumaranui many years ago and grew up on a sheep and beef farm and love the great outdoors. I currently live on a lifestyle block in Ruatangata with my wife and two boys – along with a dog and a few sheep. We love to travel and explore this amazing country we call home.

I have spent most of my working life as a high school teacher (Mathematics and Physical Education) and have taught in a variety of schools in NZ and London.

When my first son was born I took some time off teaching to be a ‘stay at home dad’, which also gave my wife the opportunity to further her career as a Chartered Accountant. It was during this time I retrained as a Civil Engineer.

Once my kids were at school I started working as a Road Maintenance Supervisor were I gained valuable experience in asset management and team supervision. This experience has made the transition from Roads to Rest Homes relatively smooth.

I look forward to the challenges ahead and growing in this role, but mostly to serving this fantastic Community.

Dawn Gruebner

Senior Manager - Care

I started my nursing career in 1975 with training in community nursing at Whangarei Base Hospital. From here I then went on to further nursing in 1993 as a Registered Nurse, completing my post graduate diploma certificate in 2007. My nursing career has seen me working in the surgical units at Whangarei Base Hospital and then onto district nursing for 16 years. I have a passion for Wound Care and have developed a strong empathy for the care of the older person. This is how I entered into Aged Care. I have been with the Kamo Home and Village Charitable Trust since August 2018 and have since become the Group Care Manager. I thoroughly enjoy my position here, the standard of leadership, the comradery of the team, our lovely residents and the support available at Kamo Home and Village Charitable Trust. When I am not working I spend as much time as possible with my family and I am an advent follower of hockey.

The Senior Management Team are supported by large Clinical and Support Service  teams to  ensure high quality services are delivered to our residents and their family, whanau and friends.

Lynette Hill

Senior Manager - Support Services

I was born and breed in Whangarei.  When not at work you can find me at our home at Pataua or away in our motorhome exploring our beautiful country

After leaving school I began my career in the banking sector.  

In 2000 my husband and I started a successful joinery company, during this time we had two children.

After selling our Company I was lucky to secure a position in Human Resources at Kamo Home.

I was offered the opportunity in 2021to become the Service Manager, which I gladly accepted. 

I look forward to the new challenges this will bring.

I am very grateful to be part of the Kamo Home team.

Lilian Vazey ( Lil)

Clinical Charge Nurse - Mountain View

 Registered General and Maternity Nurse. I completed my training at Tauranga Hospital.

After working for 2 years following my registration in Psycho geriatric ward at Tauranga Hospital as a staff nurse, I moved to Sydney where I was employed for  3 years in the  Far West Children’s Home as a psychopaedic nurse, caring for children under the age of 16 with severe Mental Health and Intellectual difficulties.

On my return to NZ, I worked at Middlemore Hospital for six months in the Orthopedic plaster room until I left for family commitments.

Whilst my family was growing up I assisted my husband manage our Engineering business, managing payroll for staff of up to 50.

I commenced work as the RN Charge Nurse at Kamo Home & Village in 2000.

Following a change in requirements at Kamo Home, I worked managing the Kamo Home Village as the Village Manager from 2006 until 2010. During this time the Retirement Villages Act came into force and I worked alongside the statutory supervisor to ensure compliance with this Act for our Village.

I moved into my current role as Clinical Care Manager at Kamo Home and Village in 2010 and then in 2017 I took up the role as Clinical Charge Nurse at Mountain View

This role sees me accepting responsibility for ensuring residents in our facility are receiving the care required to maintain quality in their life. I have a close liaison with the DHB assessment teams and other Allied Heath personnel.

I have the responsibility for adequate and safe staffing of the care services team.

Maryanne Thompson

Clinical Charge Nurse - Parahaki Court & Shalom

In my early 20s I became a Registered General Nurse.

Since then I have worked predominately in the age care sector. Where my passion lies.

I am happily married with one child, son Nathan the apple of my eye.

When I am not working I enjoy spending time with family and friends.  I also enjoy watching my son Nathan I enjoy craft work and baking and decorating novelty cakes.

I have worked in Whangarei all of my working life as a Registered Nurse.

I have been working at Parahaki Court since 2000

And recently as part of Kamo Home and Village Charitable Trust 2017. My journey with the trust has been enjoyable and I look forward to see where we are heading too.

Leanne McMurchy

Clinical Charge Nurse - kamo Home

I was born & raised in Northland, my mother nursed at St Marys’ private hospital & father worked at the Northland Harbour Board for many years.

I have 3 adult children & 1 young grandchild.

Some of my nursing experience includes working for the NDHB as a Hemodialysis Nurse within the Renal team, and prior, 8+ years at North Haven Hospice, as a Specialist Palliative Care Nurse, both in the Inpatient Unit and in the Community. Most recently working for Te Whatu Ora as part of the Covid response team, working closely with the Aged Care facilities in Northland, in the risk assessment and management of Covid19.

I have continued my learning in obtaining my Certificate in Health Science & Diploma in Advanced Nursing.

I feel very strongly about optimizing individuals' quality of life when living with long term conditions and at end-of-life care, nursing with compassion, dignity, and honesty. I bring my personal values of self-awareness, and a caring manner, skills that will enable me to successfully build genuine therapeutic relationships, while fostering delivery of superior personalised care.

I look forward to providing healthcare to the best of my ability maintaining trust and confidence in addition to upholding the good reputation of the nursing profession.