Our Team

Glenn is a Presbyterian Minister, as well as a former long-standing Christchurch City Councillor, representing Christchurch for 9 years during the best and worst of times. Post-quake, Glenn promoted the concept of an independent Earthquake Tribunal through the Christchurch City Council, which has since been established by the government.
Glenn’s main area of interest as a Councillor was in its social housing and community facilities and in repairing and rebuilding both post the earthquakes.
Glenn is a member of the NZ Institute of Directors and has experience on both commercial and philanthropic boards and chairs both the Rata Foundation and Epilepsy New Zealand.

Sister Raye has belonged to the Little Company of Mary since 1961, when she first worked as an Operating Theatre Nurse. Today, Sister Raye’s administrative role involves pastoral care and looking after the other Sisters. The reason she chose to be a Sister with the Little Company of Mary is because she loved the spirit and that the Order was part of a wider Southern Cross community. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, quilting and woodturning.

Phil has wide experience in working with social services and governance. He is a former probation officer and later a mental health social worker. He was then social work leader for Older Persons’ Health at Canterbury District Health Board. He also chaired the Spreydon-Cashmere Community Board for 12 years, later being elected as a Christchurch City Councillor and Canterbury Regional Councillor for nine years.
Phil has governance experience in leading the development of affordable social housing and has a strong interest in community development to address the issue of loneliness for older people in Christchurch.
He’s a keen outdoor trail cyclist besides devoting time to his 7 grandchildren.

Rebecca joined the Little Company of Mary Foundation Board in 2021. She is a qualified lawyer with significant legal and commercial knowledge and expertise, particularly in the property and capital raising space. Rebecca has 20 years’ experience working in legal, commercial and investment compliance roles for leading New Zealand companies, which she draws on to make a valuable contribution to the Board. While primarily working in a corporate and commercial environment, Rebecca finds it rewarding to use her skills to assist the Foundation to make a positive difference to people’s lives by providing affordable, warm and dry housing to older New Zealanders and alleviating loneliness in the community.

Pauline’s work as Business Manager for the Little Company of Mary in New Zealand and Tonga keeps her very busy. Her role is hugely varied, from being responsible for financial management and events, to looking after the wellbeing of her team and taking care of the Little Company of Mary properties. “Every day is different but my favourite part is always the people I work with,” she says. In her spare time, she likes to go on adventures in Christchurch and other parts of New Zealand with her family and dog.

After spending 18 years in the electronics industry, Nicola decided she needed a change. In January 2017, she took on the Assistant Accountant position at the Little Company of Mary because the role was “people-focussed and more than just about accounting.” A typical day for Nicola involves assisting with any accounting work; coordinating the hire of the community centre; working with residents; and organising general repairs and maintenance.

Before starting her role as Activities Coordinator at the Little Company of Mary, Cathie had had a varied career as a nurse, farm worker and teacher aide. The reason she loves working at the Little Company of Mary is the community spirit, helping people to enjoy themselves and there are always “lots of laughs.” When she is not busy organising new activities, you will find Cathie walking, spending time with her family, and doing jigsaw puzzles.

As Administrative Assistant, Janine is kept busy supporting the team and making sure everyone is organised. She started at the Little Company of Mary in January 2016 after working for another charitable organisation for 10 years. She loves the friendly atmosphere of the Little Company of Mary and working with the amazing team behind the scenes. In her free time, Janine likes going to the movies, catching up with friends over a coffee and good food and enjoying a good book.

Colin has been part of the Little Company of Mary team for more than 17 years. He is known as a “jack of all trades” and is on hand to keep the gardens looking beautiful and to attend to general maintenance. Colin is also a resident and loves the friendships he has made as a member of the community. He also enjoys visiting former residents of the Mary Potter community.