Helen Stone - President

Our family moved to New Zealand 8 years ago from Leeds in the UK. We settled in Tauranga with our 2 younger children, our eldest daughter lives in the UK. I have 30 years experience in health care, 10 years as a midwife, both in hospital and the community, 2 years teaching child development in a college of further education, and 15 years as a specialist neonatal intensive care nurse. My husband, Jon and I fostered children for 6 years and adopted our 2 younger children after first fostering them. I believe this experience has given me valuable insight into helping children from disadvantaged backgrounds and shown how love, care and respect raises their self esteem and enables them to fully participate and find their place in society.

I have been involved with Tauranga RDA for 3 years. First as a volunteer, second both as a volunteer and a board member, this last year as president. This last year has been a very busy but enjoyable one. I am passionate about the work we do here and seeing the positive results all the children and adults participating in our programmes gain in developing and extending skills, building self esteem and improving quality of life.

In my spare time I enjoy being with my family and friends, boating and SCUBA diving off the Tauranga coast.

Lindi Jones - Vice President 

Lindi Jones has been a dedicated volunteer at RDA for over 20 years and has a wealth of knowledge about RDA. Lindi runs a farm in Welcome Bay with her husband Kevin. Their daughters ride at pony club and the Jones' have a number of horses of their own.

Lindi often loans horses to RDA for therapy rides and over the past year we have used, Honey, Cocoa and Tama. When Lindi is not too busy on the farm she comes to help with the therapy rides.

Jon Stone - Treasurer

Our family moved to New Zealand 8 years ago from Leeds in the UK. After seeing how passionate my wife, Helen, had become helping children and adults with disabilities I felt sure I could contribute to its success and was elected as treasurer at the last AGM. In that time I believe I have contributed to its economic viability and financial stability, and have been proud to serve on the board.

I have taken up a number of voluntary positions but at present
I volunteer as a canteen helper at Otumoetai Intermediate School, helping the canteen workers prepare and serve lunches to the pupils. I volunteer as a senior New Zealand football (soccer) referee, affiliated to the Waikato Bay of Plenty area, and volunteer as the coordinator for the intermediate schools AIMS football tournament where I am responsible for organising referees for over 40 games. I am also voluntary editor of the Mount Maunganui Underwater Club’s monthly newsletter.

I have 20 years experience in building services contract management, with 15 years at company director level. I have been responsible for project managing multi-million dollar contracts from inception to completion. I have well developed skills in financial management, client liaison, staff and sub contractor supervision, health and safety and quality control.
After retiring from contract management I was invited to become a magistrate serving 3 years in the Leeds area.

Apart from numerous professional qualifications and affiliations, I am also qualified in computer aided design drawing, computer Information technology, and occupational health and safety.

Iris Dodkins - Secretary

Iris Dodkins, married to Kiwi Mike and Mum of 2 girls returned to NZ nearly 4 years ago and is now very happy and settled in Papamoa. I have been horsey all my life and since moving to NZ have taken up riding as much as possible; even venturing onto the hunt field. Professionally my experience is with children with all sorts of disabilities so being involved at RDA utilises a lot of my skills. I work well in a team and enjoy communicating with all. Since joining the Board of RDA I have learnt a huge amount about the organisation and hope to continue to be an asset to it.

Chris Thomas - Board Member

Hi, I'm very pleased to have joined the RDA Board. I was a Deputy Principal of a large school for children with physical disabilities and was also an Assistant Principal in a mainstream high school in the UK. I hope to be able to put that experience to good use to assist the further development of the RDA.  I hope to be able to liaise with local schools and colleges to inform them about the work of the RDA, encourage volunteers help with fund raising events.

My wife and I have lived in New Zealand for three years and I have taught in the Bay of Plenty and North Shore. We have now settled in Papamoa and are really enjoying life here, our two grown up sons still live in the UK.

I enjoy swimming, kayak fishing and tramping and we are looking forward to becoming part of the community in this beautiful area. 

John Mather - Board Member,

Details coming soon...