Alzheimers New Zealand Board

The Alzheimers New Zealand Board is:

Susan Hitchiner (Chair)

Susan Hitchiner has been the Chair of Alzheimers New Zealand since February 2013, having joined the Board in November 2012. Like many people, Susan’s connection with Alzheimers New Zealand was a personal one, with a close friend being diagnosed with a rare and rapidly progressive form of dementia at a relatively young age.

Susan brings to the role considerable leadership and governance experience from across the public and not-for-profit sectors, having held senior positions for over 20 years in the public sector and working extensively as an independent consultant for nearly fifteen years. She also offers an international perspective, having worked on development projects in Mongolia and Fiji.

Susan has contributed her governance, strategic and financial management expertise over most of the last decade on a voluntary basis and to a number of organisations, including the YWCA of Aotearoa New Zealand and the Institute of Public Administration New Zealand. She is also an Advisor to the New Horizons for Women Trust.

Kerran Larson (Vice Chair)

Kerran Larson is Vice Chair of Alzheimers New Zealand and Chair of Alzheimers Southland. Proprietor of a business and management advisory practice, working with a wide range of clients across Southland, Otago and Central Otago for over 30 years.

In his spare time, Kerran enjoys duck shooting, boating, reading, developing new projects and spending time in Central Otago, where he and his wife have an interest in a vineyard and winery.

Arthur Plumpton

Arthur has been involved with Alzheimers since 2006, initially as a recipient of our services when his wife made the journey through Alzheimer’s until her passing in late 2009. From there Arthur became involved with Alzheimers Waikato, first as a Board member and now as Chair for Alzheimers Waikato.

Now retired, Arthur’s background includes 16 years with Fonterra in a technical executive role. Prior to that, Arthur worked in the United Kingdom across the FMCG industry in a range of general and technical management roles.

Nigel Wynn
Nigel is originally from the Hawkes Bay town of Waipawa, going to Massey University and completing a degree in Business Studies. He moved to Wellington to take a position in accounting firm ACA for three years, he then gave that all away to take up a role on the trading floor at the New Zealand Stock Exchange.

He then worked for the Renouf Firm before starting his own firm, Garlick and Co. Two years later when sharebroking was de-regulated he was one of the founders of New Zealand’s first discount brokering company before starting his own firm, Access Brokerage. Three years later he started up Direct Broking, which was eventually sold to the ANZ bank.

Nigel then worked with ANZ for two years, before being diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s at age 46 after his wife, Tania, begun to notice changes in his behaviour. Nigel has been involved with Alzheimers New Zealand for over five years and brings the perspective of someone with Alzheimer’s to the Board.

Nigel is married to Tania and the couple have three children.

Karen Foster

Karen is a registered nurse with extensive experience in primary, secondary and community healthcare. Karen’s professional experience has included caring for people with dementia and their families from within the community setting through to managing the care provided in a hospital level dementia facility.

Karen has also been closely involved with Alzheimers South Canterbury, having previously held the roles of committee member and president.

Duncan Innes

Duncan is a professional volunteer, Board member and project manager with a background in healthcare management and strategy. Along with serving on both the Alzheimers Canterbury and New Zealand Boards, Duncan also volunteers as a Coastguard Boat and Air Patrol member.

Duncan has worked extensively in the healthcare sector across New Zealand and the United Kingdom, including time at the Department of Health, Boots and Bupa in the United Kingdom, and the Waitemata District Health Board and Canterbury Development Corporation in New Zealand. Duncan has also been closely involved with the Christchurch City Council’s earthquake response.

Gaynor Duff

Gaynor has dedicated most of her professional life to developing and improving dementia services. Initially training as a registered nurse, Gaynor later worked as a social worker, specialising in supporting people with dementia and their carers in the community.

Gaynor has been closely involved with Alzheimers Canterbury since 1983, including having served as both their, and the national president in the past 30 years. She is strongly motivated to support the work of Alzheimers New Zealand through the experience of having had both her father and father-in-law with dementia.