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, social media, marketing and communications. Making connections and sharing stories is a big part of 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, go to concerts, and spend time with friends, family, my husband and our energetic border collie and our chill cat.
I also love being outdoors – either pottering around my semi-rural property and the forest next door or off on a camping/off-road adventure!
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
Tāmaki Makaurau Community Advisor
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!
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
Bio coming soon!
Sue Robertson
Board Member
Bio coming soon!
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 - Alison Jarden
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