Bridget is a director of Connect Legal New Plymouth, specialising in Family Law. Her work involves her in a wide cross section of the community, particularly as a children’s advocate which is a role she feels passionately about. Children and young people, often in the more marginalised sectors of our community, have been a big focus of her practice for the past 28 years.  Bridget has previously sat on the national executive of the Family Law Section, the Family Abuse Intervention Team Trust, the New Plymouth Emergency Shelter Board and the Taranaki Foundation Board (formerly Te Karaka Community Foundation). For six years Bridget sat on the Board of Trustees for Francis Douglas College as its Deputy Chair for three of those years. Bridget has been a keen sportswoman and has coached college basketball for 5 years and is currently the chairperson of the disciplinary committee for the New Plymouth Basketball Association.  Bridget was fortunate enough to participate in Sue Spence’s Horses Helping Humans programme on a visit to Gwinganna Retreat in Australia in 2016; an experience that was both memorable and inspiring!

Scott is a director/owner of local accounting firm Schurr & Ireland CA Ltd. Scott formed the company in 2015, after previously working in banking for three years with ANZ bank and 7 years with Baker Tilly Staples Rodway before that. He loves his business and is proud of the near 40 staff and 3

director firm it has become. Scott has a passion for the local Taranaki community and has had

several roles in clubs and not for profits over the years. This particular charity resonates with Scott

and he in particular loves the outcomes the programme has been able to achieve for at risk Taranaki

youth.

Christine is an Investment Adviser at Craigs Investment Partners. She has over 15 years experience in New Zealand investment markets. Christine is originally from Taranaki and grew up around horses in multiple disciplines. She was a show jumping rider at a national level, and took a break from her corporate career in her twenties to work with sport horses overseas, including for New Zealand Olympian Bruce Goodin in Sweden. She has two daughters now experiencing the joy of horses and has watched and guided many young people make positive change through their experience and interactions with horses.

I am Christine Goodin, retired, married to Steak Goodin QSM for 52 years and have 6 adult children.  All with partners and there are 13 grandchildren, so we are surrounded by whānau who are somewhat worldly and keep us informed.  Steak and I were Oranga Tamariki caregivers for over 40 years and have had much experience with troubled young people as well.  Steak was a founding member of S.T.A.R.T Taranaki.   We had those clients live with us and work on our dairy farm for many years.  In 1997 we helped bring Life Education Trust to Taranaki and have since helped raise $200,000 annually for the charity.  I have much experience in fundraising and I am currently a National Board Member with a NZ Life Membership for Life Education NZ.  It has been most rewarding Helping Horses Helping Humans Taranaki, Hōiho Hāpai Hapori, come to fruition and seeing the outcomes this programme is achieving for the participants.

My name is David Ian MacKenzie.  I am employed by the New Zealand Police Department as a Police Sergeant and have been a Police Officer for 37 years.  I am married to Anita, a local physiotherapist and have three adult daughters.  My current position is that of a Senior Prosecutor working principally out of the New Plymouth District court.  In my policing career I have held various positions in both the CIB, General Duties and administrative areas.  Due to this experience, I have seen the devastating, lifelong effects that those born into a life of disadvantage can experience.  As such, I was attracted to a programme such as HHH where the participants can be offered a positive learning experience, where the skills learned will improve the wellbeing of vulnerable young people.  

Hi I’m Gemma, I have been working with young people in educational settings for the past 20 years becoming a specialist in inclusive education and nature school.  I am so excited that I can combine a passion for well being and a love of horses and joined HHH. After a fall took my confidence from riding I’m  loving reconnecting with the horses and the amazing staff and thrilled to be able to offer support, laughter and love to the beautiful people we work with.

Kia ora, my name is Janet Wrightson Lean. It is my privilege to be part of the HHH whānau in Taranaki and support the incredible mahi of the facilitators and trustees. I have been involved with community organisations, in a variety of voluntary roles all of my adult life and I don't see that changing any time soon! My 'paid' work has been in the International Department at Spotswood College for eighteen amazing years ... I am fortunate to be able to say that it never really felt like a job! More recently I have moved into an administration role in Te Waka Manaaki, the High & Complex Needs area of the school and cut back to three days a week.... to hopefully spend more time with our four adult children, their partners, seven grandchildren and their dogs that make up our whānau. Happy days!

I am a District Court Judge, residing in New Plymouth. I am found mostly in the Family Court, but I also preside in the Youth Court and the Criminal Court.  After 23 years practising family law, I was appointed to the Bench.  What has grabbed my attention is the high rate of our young offenders who have underlying neuro-disabilities. Conditions such as FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder), ADHD, brain injury through trauma and the like.  Around 2016, I went to Gwinganna, a Wellness Retreat on the Gold Coast. I participated in a group session that involved a horse and Sue Spence, the founder of Horses Helping Humans. It was a very simple technique to demonstrate communication skills. Sue mentioned that she offered her programme to the Youth Justice sector in Queensland. I decided we needed her programme in Taranaki. Bridget Burke, a lawyer and now Chairperson of Horses Helping Taranaki Youth, had by chance, attended Gwinganna and Sue’s session. That was all I needed to start exploring the possibility of bringing the programme to Taranaki.  My goal is to provide a meaningful programme for our youth justice participants and ultimately for all Taranaki youth who present with difficult and challenging behaviours.