Meet the Team

Christina Matthews

Senior Executive
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I am a SET 3 trainee based in Auckland. I am originally from Auckland but over the years I have worked in Northland, Auckland regions, Christchurch and Waikato.

As part of the STONZ Executive, I welcome contact from all members and look forward to representing RMOs across NZ. I also currently sit on RACSTA and the ORL board as the New Zealand trainee representative.

I joined STONZ when I was a non-trainee, as I believe we have a good balance between adequate and quality training, for our junior doctors.

E: Christina.M@stonz.co.nz

Jordan Tewhaiti-Smith

Senior Executive
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Kia ora! I’m Jordan, currently an O&G Training Registrar based at Christchurch Women’s Hospital. I grew up in the Wairarapa but have huge connections to the South Island. Ko Ngai Tahu, Ngati Kahungunu me Ngai Puhi oku iwi. I have experience working in large tertiary hospitals, and smaller provincial hospitals as well.

STONZ reflects my goals for training now and for the future, and I also feel that STONZ has RMOs and patients at the centre of our work. In a time where the public health sector is changing constantly, and not always for the better, I hope to be able to facilitate balanced communication with the RMO workforce coming through (including TIs) and support them in joining a union that works for them and fights for the rights of RMOs to be trained, competent practitioners. I am proud to be part of this union which values people and training at its core.

E: Jordan.TS@stonz.co.nz

Richard Storey

Senior Executive
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Richard has been a part of executive team since STONZ began in 2018. He maintains the vision that the RMO employment environment needs to optimise the RMO training environment. The journey to becoming an SMO starts as house officer and STONZ aims to support RMOs every step of the way.

Richard has now completed his training in orthopaedics and is in his final year as an RMO. There is so much room for improvement in the RMO world and Richard hopes that STONZ can continue to lead the way with RMOs who can see and implement positive change.

RMOs do not inherit their job from those who came before them, they borrow it from those who will come after them.

E: Richard@stonz.co.nz

Emma Littlehales

Senior Executive
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I’m a SET 1 plastics trainee, and originally a UK graduate. Living in NZ since 2016 I’ve now made my home here. I’m a member of the RACS Prevocational and Skills Education Committee, representing surgical non-training registrars. I got involved in STONZ because I worked in a system in the UK where juniors worked a 70-hour week to get the required experience for elective surgery but were only paid for 48.

I want to ensure NZ trainees get the required experience to become consultants in a safe way, whilst still being recognised and compensated for the hard work they do. I’m advocating for safe and evidence-based rosters, which allow for enough training time to develop safe Consultants. I also want to give a voice to non-training registrars, who are less protected than their trainee counterparts, and do a large amount of the day-to-day work in the hospital.

E: Emma.L@stonz.co.nz

Alastair Hercus

Junior Executive
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Kia ora,

My name is Alastair, and I am a PGY2 house officer currently working at Middlemore Hospital, and previously worked in Canterbury. I have a keen interest in Critical care, particularly Anaesthetics.

I joined STONZ as a House Officer due to transparency and excellent support. I believe that STONZ represents the needs of all RMO’s through promoting a safe work environment and a strong emphasis on training. I hope that as a House Officer Representative I can continue to advocate for positive outcomes and help others make the most of being a STONZ member.

E: Alastair@stonz.co.nz

Bri Northey

Junior Executive
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Kia ora!

I’m Bri, currently a non-training Registrar in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Tauranga Hospital. I grew up in Te Tai Tokerau in Whangarei and whakapapa to Ngāti Tukorehe in Otaki.

I have had three years of experience as a House Officer then Senior House Officer and feel I have a good grasp of the issues House Officers face. I look forward to talking to House Officers and Trainee Interns alike. STONZ is run by RMOs and has RMOs best interests at heart.

E: Briana@stonz.co.nz

Alex Boyle

Research Representative
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Alex is an orthopaedic surgery registrar currently undertaking a Master of Public Health degree at Harvard University, Boston, USA. Alex manages the research fund and is available to support research being undertaken by STONZ members. Priority topics include RMO wellbeing, training and performance, as well as health economics, clinical leadership and health informatics.

E: research@stonz.co.nz

Chantelle Petterson

Medical School Representative
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Currently a 4th year medical student (Christchurch Campus, Otago University). Prior to medical school, I was a proud STONZ member while working as an RMO in the Maxillofacial units in Christchurch and Waikato. I was privileged to be the delegate representative in 2022 and have recently moved into the medical school rep position.

As the medical school rep, I am a link between the TI delegates reporting to the STONZ Exec as they pave the way for the next generation of junior doctors. I’m also passionate about supporting the cohort of current and future dental graduates who take up RMO positions. It’s an honour to be part of the team!

Kate Clapperton-Rees

Executive Director
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Kate is responsible for the operational management and strategic leadership of STONZ i.e. putting the Executive teams plans into motion.

Kate has a background of Business and Human Resources, with experience ranging from setting up and managing small businesses, to working for the Northern Regional Alliance team holding a number of roles there over the years including Allocations and Training, Daily Operations, and Workforce Development. Prior to joining STONZ Kate had a break from the health sector and worked at Christchurch International Airport in the People and Culture team.

E: kate@stonz.co.nz

Janelle Butcher

Senior RMO Advisor
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Janelle is our RMO and rostering specialist and joined us in 2020 after 5 years with CDHB, firstly as the Surgical Coordinator and then as the RMO Support Team Leader.

Janelle studied Human Resources and got her foot in the door at CDHB starting out in the HR Team so brings a huge knowledge of the Districts and the RMO workforce with her. When Janelle’s not working you’ll find her hanging out with her dog or helping out the Scout Group where she is a leader.

E: janelle@stonz.co.nz

Therese Yamit

RMO Coordinator
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Graduating last December, Therese has a background in Health Sciences and majored in Public Health at the University of Canterbury.

During her studies, she completed two internships at Kidney Health NZ and the Cancer Society, as well as worked with the UC School of Health Sciences. In these previous roles, she worked with health promoters and health professionals on varying projects. She is now looking forward to being able to help STONZ members and RMOs working across the Districts.

E: therese@stonz.co.nz

Linda Porter

Support Administrator
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Linda is an experienced administrator and keeps our wheels turning! Formerly from the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and then the New Zealand Association of General Surgeons, she brings a wealth of administrative and organisational experience to STONZ, with a smile.

Linda resides in Wellington with her three teenage children.

E: support@stonz.co.nz

Susan Walsh

RMO Support Advocate
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Susan joins us with a varied career background in support and advocacy services.

She has experience as a union representative, social justice advocate, and a manager. She has a BSocSc degree majoring in Union and Labour Studies from Waikato University. Susan also knows a thing or two about RMOs; having raised and supported two of her own (Earle and Stephanie Savage). Susan is based in Hamilton and is here to support our members whenever she is needed.

E: support@stonz.co.nz

Zara Park-Eadie

Zara comes from a private health background, where she has worked in Finance, HR and Board / Executive support.

Her roles supporting medical specialists were varied with many responsibilities including: ensuring they were paid accurately and on time; that CME balances were accurate, and claims paid within 1-2 weeks.

At STONZ, Zara provides Executive and team admin support and answers member queries 2 days a week. The balance of Zara’s time is spent on her horticulture studies and enjoying nature with family and friends.

E: zara@stonz.co.nz

Heath Lash

Ex-officio Executive
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Heath is the founder and ex-chairman of STONZ. Since starting STONZ he has completed Orthopaedic Surgical Training and moved back to Christchurch with his young family to start his first SMO role. Heath has previously also been the representative of New Zealand surgical trainees to the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Heaths current role as an ex-officio member of the Executive is to provide guidance and support if needed as we continue to grow.

E: support@stonz.co.nz

Blair York

Ex-officio Executive
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Blair finished his plastic and reconstructive surgery training following his return from Melbourne where he completed his fellowship. Blair has now started his first role as a SMO at Canterbury District. Blair moved to an ex officio role on the executive after standing down following a 3-year tenure as treasurer for STONZ in 2022.

During his training Blair has been on RACSTA, the NZ Board of plastic surgery training and the trainee representative on NZAPS.

Blair brought that experience with those governance positions to the executive team during his tenure and is now happy for the current executive to tap into this as an ex officio member.

Earle Savage

Ex-officio Executive
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After completing his final exams and fellowship in orthopaedics, Earle stepped down from the STONZ Executive in August 2023. Earle, alongside Heath Lash, formed STONZ in 2018 and we are enormously grateful for Earle's commitment and contribution to STONZ over the years. In a previous life Earle was a physiotherapist who ran a large Musculoskeletal and Occupational Rehabilitation company with 6 practices based in the Waikato and Christchurch before being enticed into medicine so brought a savvy business mind to the team. We are pleased to have Earle stay on as an Ex-Officio member to help provide mentoring and support when needed for our new team's coming through.

Earle has served on several District clinical boards and has also worked at a board level in Waikato representative sport.