Our Team
National Team
Neighbourhood Support New Zealand is run by a small but dedicated team, who are spread throughout the country.
Get to know the team who help to coordinate Neighbourhood Support at the national level...
Louise Grevel
CEO
Kia ora, I'm Louise but you can call me Lou!
I have been involved with Neighbourhood Support for many years, having worked as the Coordinator for Neighbourhood Support Waitakere, serving as the District Representative for Waitemata District (which covers Members in Waitakere, Rodney, North Shore and Greenhithe) for nearly 10 years, and serving on the Board for a similar amount of time (with two terms as Chair).
I have a vested interest and passion for seeing NSNZ continue to grow by increasing our profile in a positive and constructive way.
Outside of Neighbourhood Support I am also a volunteer for my local Fire Brigade, a Trustee for the Waitakere Township Hall and Whangateau Cemetery, as well as a Ranui Swanson Waitakere Community Patroller.
When I have the time, my hobbies include woodworking and renovation / DIY projects. I love to create furniture and art using recycled materials as a way to relax.
Kirsty Oliver-Robson
Brand, Marketing & Communications
Kia ora, I’m Kirsty!
I’m covering NSNZ’s website, social media, communications, graphic design and branding for Zelia while she’s away on maternity leave.
I have lived most of my life in the Wellington Region, but am an avid traveler who loves exploring the world and our own beautiful backyard here in Aotearoa.
I have a background in art, design, film/cinema, social media, marketing and communications.
Making connections and sharing stories is a big part of who I am and what I do (either through work or personally with my art), and I'm especially looking forward to expanding the Neighbourhood Support community around the country and sharing our stories.
In my spare time I love to create art, practice yoga, roller-skate, see live music, spend time with friends, family, my husband and our lunatic border collie and our lazy cat.
I also love being outdoors – exploring the forest next door, working on DIY projects, camping, off-roading or just lazing in the sun reading a good book.
Kelsey Ardern
Community Advisor
Kia ora, I'm Kelsey! Originally from the Wairarapa, I moved to the 'big city' (Wellington) when I was 13 and have lived here ever since.
Prior to joining the National Team in 2015, I was the Manager of Hutt Safe City Group which looked after the operational management of Neighbourhood Support, 7 community patrols and the city’s CCTV network in the Hutt Valley.
In my current role I love connecting with Members + Supporters from across the country and seeing their local groups and organisations flourish with a bit of help and guidance.
In my spare time I like to hang out with friends and family, watch sport (especially rugby and V8s), relax at the beach and work on some home + garden projects with my husband. We also love to spoil our lovable furry ginger feline, ED; AND we welcomed our first child, Arlo, into the world in March 2023, so he has naturally become our world!
Rebecca Smith
Community Advisor
- Tāmaki Makaurau
Kia ora, I'm Beks!
I am originally from Christchurch, grew up on the North Shore, Auckland and have since lived in many different places. I have four children, teenagers-young adults. In 2023 we moved back to Auckland and I started working for Neighbourhood Support North Shore as the Coordinator, and Co-Coordinator for Neighbourhood Support Waitakere.
In my spare time I volunteer for CD Response Team 5, I am on a local community house committee, I train regularly at my local gym and I endeavor to keep my pot plants (which are taking over my house) alive!
My background is in Education. I was a teacher for 12 years, working in Queenstown, the United Arab Emirates, Christchurch, Tonga and Waihi. I love how the Education Sector integrates beautifully into the Community Sector. I also appreciate how I can use my teaching skills to engage communities about Neighbourhood Support and the valuable role it has within our neighbourhoods and communities to keep us safe, prepared for emergencies and encourage resilience.
I am very excited about the new role of Community Advisor for Tāmaki Makaurau. It will be awesome to see Auckland’s Neighbourhood Support network be substantiated, increase in capacity, and thrive!
Katie Thompson
Community Advisor
- Top of the South
Kia ora, I’m Katie!
I grew up in sunny Nelson and went to university in Christchurch where I also took time off to go explore the world, first solo and then again with my partner Flynn.
I have now happily settled back in Nelson which is place I am proud to call home.
I have a background in geography and sustainability. I gained my master’s in environmental science from the University of Canterbury where I learnt about both physical and social geography.
From my studies, work and personal life I have developed a passion for connecting communities and believe that “Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini
- My strength is not that of the individual,
but that of the collective”.
In my spare time I love to teach yoga, surf, and spend time outdoors in nature whether it be camping in a remote place or just relaxing outside in the sunshine at home. I am lucky that the Top of the South has plenty of the great outdoors to enjoy and is peaceful and beautiful place to live.
My goal in the role of Community Advisor for Neighbourhood Support is to get the Top of the South region connected and thriving, developing a safe, happy, and resilient place to live for all.
Partners
Anaru Graham
Senior Prevention Partnerships Advisor – Community
Tena koe, Ko Anaru Graham ahau.
I have just joined the Iwi and Communities team for Police National Headquarters.
I will be working closely with three community organisations as part of my role: Neighbourhood Support New Zealand, Community Patrol New Zealand and Limited service volunteer (LSV).
I am born and bred in the Hawkes Bay, growing up in a police family with my father and uncle both being in the police, currently living here with my own family. I whakapapa to Kawhia, (Ngati Hikairo) where I spent a number of my school holidays with my grandparents, whanau and whanauga burning my feet on the black sand, eating the abundance of cockles we gathered.
I refer to these things as they are most important to me, they are also the reasons I have become who I am as a person, the reasons that have shaped me, along with my life experiences from both Police and my personal life. Growing up knowing you have people around you that support you and connect you to the whenua and community makes me feel safe.
I joined the Police in 1997 and since graduating from Police college I’ve been privileged to have worked in some absolutely amazing places, meeting some incredible people along the way - people who have shown me the importance of being connected and belonging to a community.
Over the years of working in community, it has become apparent to me that knowing where you come from is equally important as knowing where you are going - even more so is knowing that anyone and everyone can help make a community safer by being connected, this is why I am so passionate about Neighbourhood Support.
My Police career started in South Auckland and my passion to grow Neighbourhood Support has only grown stronger after seeing first-hand the difference that being connected with neighbours can have in making us feel safe, and how looking out for each other helps keep us safe.
It has been events like Covid and Cyclone Gabrielle that have shown me that you can’t beat kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face) for building partnerships and showing that you care, these events have also show how we (the Police) can’t do the mahi alone, we need the support of our communities to make a difference.
I am excited to be in the role and look forward to meeting some of you in person in the near future.
National Board
Neighbourhood Support New Zealand is governed by 5 to 7 elected Board members.
Our current Board members are:
Claire Steer
Chair
Kia ora, I'm Claire!
I'm based in Pauanui Beach where I'm the Vice Chairperson for Pauanui Neighbourhood Support. I'm also currently the Neighbourhood Support Deputy District Representative for Waikato as well as a Justice of the Peace.
During my time on the Board, I've been proud to secure long term funding for town security cameras as well as providing upskilling for household members and street contacts. I've also helped to bring PNS into the 21st century by establishing a social media presence for the organisation.
As a member of the Institute of Directors and having many years of governance experience in the education sector, I am confident of adding value to the board of Neighbourhood Support New Zealand.
I am proud to have recently stepped into the role of Chair for the NSNZ Board.
Colleen Brown
Vice Chair
Kia ora, I'm Colleen! I've been the Chair of Manurewa Neighbourhood Support for 7 years and am also the District Representative for Counties Manukau.
With a background in education, I've been a lecturer in Communication as well as a Manukau City Councillor for 9 years where I am currently serving another term on the Counties Manukau District Health Board where I chair two committees. I have also been passionately involved in the disability sector in governance and advisory roles whilst also supporting my son for the past 30 years.
I live in Hillpark, Manurewa, Auckland one of the last urban forests in New Zealand where I spend my days writing and watching Tui, Kereru and finches zoom around my garden.
I see NSNZ as being a key factor in creating sustainable, healthy, and well connected communities across the country. With a large immigrant community in my district, Neighbourhood Support creates an opportunity to cultivate a sense of ownership of our streets and wider community, giving residents both old and new a sense of pride and belonging for where they live.
Craig Yarndley
Treasurer
Kia ora, I'm Craig - the numbers guy! I'm the Principal Chartered Accountant of Gener8 as well as involved with our local Neighbourhood Support organisation 'CommSafe' based in Te Awamutu.
My wife Jenny and I have 6 children which understandably keeps us busy as we support and encourage their various artistic talents.
Our faith keeps me grounded and this has led me to a particular interest in building relationships, and helping people to reach their full potential.
I love the technological age and strive to use it to its full potential in all areas of my life and work.
Betty-Ann Smart
Board Member
Kia ora, I'm Betty-Ann! I joined South Canterbury Neighbourhood Support as a part-time Coordinator in April 2019 and have since been the South Canterbury Rep attending our Canterbury Regional Meetings.
From 1998 to 2008 I was involved with the Pre-School Learning Alliance (a National Early Years Educational Charity in the UK) as a volunteer, Outreach Worker, Team Leader/Manager, QA Mentor + Assessor, Adult Trainer and Project Manager at the local, regional and national levels.
Since moving to Aotearoa, I have worked as the Principal's PA and Executive Officer at Central Hawke's Bay College while also serving as Board Secretary and Privacy Officer for the Board of Trustees. During my time there I was appointed Returning Officer for 3 Elections and regularly undertook training.
I see these experiences as being valuable in my role on the NSNZ Board and look forward to representing Canterbury nationally!
Chris Smith
Board Member
Kia Ora, I’m Chris.
My journey with Neighbourhood Support started in 2006 when I was approached to assist establish an organisation to support community safety.
I am the only original trustee who remains in the organisation which is now known as CommSafe. This organisation administers and runs Neighbourhood Support and Community Patrols in Te Awamutu and surrounding rural areas. CommSafe also oversee CCTV for the Waipa District working closely with NZ Police and Waipa District Council.
I have had a variety of work experiences from banking, owning a retail business, selling real estate, and now work for a large organisation which focuses on social housing and mental health amongst several other areas.
I have always been socially conscious from a period as a volunteer fireman, years on a committee to promote Te Awamutu, Chairperson of Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce (10 years) and District Representative for Neighbourhood Support Waikato for the past 12 years.
I see Neighbourhood Support as an important conduit between NZ Police and the community as we all strive to make our communities safe places to work and live. My vision is to see Neighbourhood Support developed throughout the entire country.
Sue Robertson
Board Member
Kia ora, I’m Sue aka Sukulele. 65 years of age and now a Gold Card holder woop woop! Youngest daughter of a navy family, born in Devonport, Auckland and now residing in Warkworth.
I am a mother of a No 1 Son and two beautiful grandchildren aged 8 and 3. My husband was a NZ Police Sergeant for 31 years. I am currently an Assistant Coordinator with Rodney Neighbourhood Support. In 2019 I started my journey with RNS having been the Treasurer on the committee and a Street Contact volunteer.
I am a qualified Diversional Therapist having worked in Rest homes in the Aged Care Sector specialising in Dementia Care Activities and then I worked as an Independent Living Support person for Young Adults in the disability sector. I was then self-employed for 5 years, providing temporary respite care so full time carers could have much needed breaks.
On moving to Warkworth, I became involved in the Warkworth CRG, Kowhai Coast Lions and am still the leader for Summerset Falls Retirement Village Ukulele Club.
My role with RNS has developed since August 2023 in Community Resilience Emergency Management, for Rodney East, North and West Cluster of CRG’s. I was asked in November 23 to become a Lifestyle Block Champion for Rodney and a contact for MPI for Auckland Animal Welfare Sub Group for Civil Defence Emergencies. And here I am now on the NSNZ Board. What an honour!
District Representatives
As a membership-based organisation, we care deeply about ensuring the diverse voices of our Members are heard at the national level. Our District Representative Forum comprises of twelve democratically elected Members - 1 from each of the 12 Police Districts.
Our current District Representatives are:
Bay of Plenty District - Richard Perkins
Canterbury District - Betty-Ann Smart
Central District - Kristel Gillespie
Counties Manukau District - Colleen Brown
Eastern District - John Roberts
Southern District - Kelly Young
Tasman District - Helen Reynolds
Waikato District - Chris Smith
Waitemata District - Rebecca Smith
Wellington District - Emma McGill