Our Staff

Max Reid

Chief Executive Officer

Max brings extensive experience gained from nearly twenty years in senior leadership roles across the health and social services sectors in New Zealand. Following twelve years as a Presbyterian parish minister, Max worked for a number of years in Church-based management roles – initially with Presbyterian Support Otago, and subsequently as Superintendent of the Dunedin Methodist Mission. Since then, Max has held senior management positions in aged care (both residential and community-based), mental health and palliative care.

He has served on numerous not-for-profit boards, and a number DHB and Ministry of Health working parties.

Alongside his Business Studies degree, a postgraduate diploma in Community Development, and a Masters degree in Social Policy, Max is also a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management, and a past member of the Fundraising Institute of New Zealand.

Based in Dunedin, and married to Dr Lorraine Ritchie, a Professional Nursing Advisor with the NZ Nurses’ Organisation, their blended family includes five adult children, a cat, and a relentlessly precocious Terrier by the name of Brian.

Max is enthusiastic about his new role with Kidney Health NZ, and both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. “While NZ is doing very well in drawing attention to the growing rates of chronic illness, chronic kidney disease seems to be off the radar somewhat,” he says. This new position offers an opportunity to further raise the profile of kidney health in NZ, including working with DHBs to increase the rates of home dialysis, and with government to draw attention to the need to increase transplantation rates and support for both kidney donors and recipients.”

Dr Colin Hutchison

Medical Director - Currently on Seconded

Colin Hutchison is the Kidney Doctor (Nephrologist) for Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand.  He is originally from England and went to University in Leicester to study medicine. He then went on to train in Nephrology in the West Midlands and completed a PhD at the University of Birmingham, UK.  During his time in Birmingham he led research into how to treat patients with kidney failure from the cancer Multiple Myeloma.

Based now in Hawke’s Bay, Colin serves a community with a growing population of patients with kidney disease from many causes.  He is passionate about increasing the knowledge of kidneys disease across both the health care community and the wider community

we care for.  He is a great advocate of increasing individuals understanding of their kidney’s health and disease so they can be in charge of the decisions about their health care treatments.

Carmel Gregan-Ford

Education Manager, RGON, BHSc

Carmel has a wealth of knowledge in the area of Kidney nursing as well as education and assistance. From Renal Nursing in London in 1988, and Charge Nurse in the Kidney Transplant Unit, London in 1992, Carmel moved on to a position as Public Health Nurse in Timaru. Her experience in Renal Education extends from Clinical Nurse Educator and Clinical Nurse Consultant for Auckland Healthcare and Baxter Healthcare respectively, to Consultant for the Strategic Renal Services Review and Pre Dialysis Educator with Auckland DHB. Carmel's most recent previous position as Kidney/Pancreas Transplant Coordinator with the Auckland District Health Board leaves her well equipped to take on the challenge as National Education Manager for Kidney Health NZ.
As National Education Manager, Carmel has the responsibility of overseeing the 0800-KIDNEY Information Line, assisting the set up of new patient support groups across New Zealand, providing education to various groups as they may require, and ensuring Kidney Health New Zealand's resources are kept up-to-date.
Carmel lives in Christchurch with her husband and three  children, and is enjoying working with the Kidney Health team.

John Collins

Acting Medical Director KHNZ

 John Collins is a nephrologist in Auckland. He graduated from Otago University with an  MBChB in 1974, and subsequently trained in Wellington, commencing Renal Training in 1979. He undertook a three year renal research fellowship at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles from 1981-1984. He returned to New Zealand to take up an appointment at Auckland Hospital where he continues to practice. He is an Honorary Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Auckland. He also provides private nephrology consultations at Mercy Specialist Group in Epsom, Auckland.

He has had a very long-standing interest in Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis and has published many papers in these areas. He has a strong commitment to early diagnosis of kidney disease and implementation of strategies to control disease as much as possible at an early stage. He is a keen supporter of kidney education and screening of at risk populations to identify silent kidney disease. He would like to see improved outcomes for Maori and Pacific people who are the highest risk groups with kidney disease.    

Deanne Hock

Office Administrator Kidney Health New Zealand

Deanne joined Kidney Health NZ in October 2006 as part time Office Administrator, working 3 mornings a week.
Previously Deanne worked for Perpetual Trust. Returning to work after being home with her two young boys, Deanne is enjoying the variety of work with Kidney Health and being part of a team.
She lives with her husband and two boys in Christchurch.

Jacqui Jeffrey

Fundraiser

Jacqui joined KHNZ in March 2018 as part time fundraiser.

Prior to joining Kidney Health New Zealand, Jacqui worked for Youthline Central South Island as their funding coordinator.  Jacqui also runs events, and co orindates a small farmer’s market in the town she lives in. Jacqui has run both large and small community events and continues to do a couple of family events throughout the year. "I was looking for a new challenge and the opportunity to work for a National organisation that has the potential to positively impact the lives of so many people really appealed to me.  This organisation has achieved so much, and I hope that I can help us to achieve even more."

Jacqui lives in a town on the outskirts of Christchurch with her husband and three children. We are thrilled to welcome Jacqui to the KHNZ team.

Board Members

• Michael Papesch - Chairperson
• Associate Professor Richard Robson
• Nick Polaschek
• David Shearer
• Traci Stanbury
• Natalie Brown
• John Kearns