Our Approach

Anglican Family Care offers professional high-quality social, therapeutic, and restorative justice support to Otago tamariki and their whānau.

We visit whānau at home and work with parents to ensure the safety, health and well-being of their tamariki. We also offer counselling to parents.

Strong, connected, and thriving whānau and tamariki.

The agency has delivered social service support to the people of Dunedin and Otago since 1970. Our main focus is pēpi, tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau, but we also provide services that support individuals in need.

Our services are for all people regardless of beliefs because we respect the values and beliefs of the Anglican Church, especially “To respond to human needs by loving service".

View Our Services

A wide shot of the town of Dunedin looking out onto the waterfront taken from a high point on a hill

Our Mission

Working together with Otago whānau to make change that inspires hope for a better future

Our Values

Icon for Whanaukataka - Love hearts

Whanaukataka

Facilitating relationships, creating belonging, strengthening and enhancing connections.

Icon for Kotahitaka - Two people

Kotahitaka

Building common purpose, shared direction, togetherness, and unity.

Icon for Manaakitaka - Stars

Manaakitaka

Enhancing mana through care, generosity, and respect.

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Mahi Tahi

Working together with shared commitment, skills, and knowledge.

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Whakahirahira

Inspiring people to grow and be their best, building on their strengths.

Icon for Awhinataka - A seedling

Āwhinataka

Guiding, supporting, and nurturing people with empathy and humility

Our Story

Anglican Family Care was established in 1970 by the Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia (Diocese of Dunedin) and the Methodist Church in New Zealand, to meet a need for whānau support and counselling in the Dunedin area.

It has remained our mission for over 50 years to provide social services for vulnerable whānau in the Otago region.

1970's

1970's

1970's

1970

Established in Dunedin by NZ Anglican & Methodist Churches (AMFC)

1971

AMFC is formally inaugurated

1977

Became an Incorporated Society

1980's

1980's

1980's

Early 1980's

Home-based Family Support service introduced

Mid 1980's

Expanded services into Central Otago

1990's

1990's

1990's

1994

Approved as a Child & Family Support Service (Child and Young Persons Act 1989)

1994

Care service was formalised

1994

Expanded services into South Otago

2000's

2000's

2000's

2000

Introduced Family Start and Social Workers In Schools (SWiS) services

2001

Restorative Justice service introduced

2005

Anglican & Methodist Social Services amicably separated, now Anglican Family Care

2010's

2010's

2010's

2011

Family Centred Service started in South Otago

2014

Introduction of Community Relationships Team (now FMC) & Business Support Team

2016

Introduced Family Start and OCEANS to North Otago

2017

Family Start was rolled out to South & Central Otago

2020's

2020's

2020's

2020

Agency responds to global pandemic (COVID-19)

2021

Published Southern Service book

2021

Board of Trustees initiates governance internship programme and appoints first Director

Want to know more about our story?

Southern Service: The First Fifty Years of Dunedin's Family Care Centre is avaible now!

Grab a Copy

The cover of the book "Southern Service", the official 50 year anniversary book of Anglican Family CareA badge celebrating the 50th anniversary of Anglican Family Care

The Anglican Family Care Whānau

Anglican Family Care employs around 50 professionally-qualified staff including Social Workers, Family Start Workers, Counsellors, Restorative Justice workers along with Management, a Fundraising, Marketing & Communications Team, Administration and Business Support staff.

Our people are, without a doubt, our most valuable asset.

Meet Our Management Team

Mike Williams

General Manager

Jane Hutton

Practice Manager

Donna Davidson

Fundraising, Marketing & Communications Manager

Meet Our Practice Team

Ngarangi Matthews

Family Start Team Leader | Dunedin

Tash Punter

Home-based Family Support Team Leader | Dunedin

Terri Goddard

Home-based Family Support, Social Workers in Schools and Counselling Service Team Leader | Dunedin

Katherine Chamberlain

Team Leader | South Otago

Michelle Tukana

Team Leader | Central Otago/Queenstown Lakes

Sue Dundass

Team Leader | North Otago

Angela Kelly

Restorative Justice Co-ordinator

Meet Our Business Support Team

John Gillanders

Business Systems Leader

Sarah Thornton

Fundraising, Marketing and Communications Administrator | Receptionist

Stacey Hobbs

Reception | Administrator

Meet Our Board Members

Ruth Zeinert

Chair

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Ruth is the Primary Care Relationship Director at WellSouth. Ruth started her working life as a physiotherapist and has subsequently held a number of roles in both the wider health sector and local government. She is passionate about health and wellbeing, particularly about reducing inequity in those spaces. Outside of work, Ruth is the very lucky mum of two amazing tamariki, who make her smile every day. She is a member of the NZ Institute of Directors.

Diana Hudson

Deputy Chair

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Originally from New Plymouth, Diana has been a Dunedin resident since 1984. After more than 20 years association with Otago Southland Employers Association, she is currently a Consultant at Wilkinson Rodgers Lawyers with a specialist practice in Employment Law, Industrial Relations, Human Resources and Health & Safety, assisting business of all kinds and sizes, including many in the not-for-profit sector. She is also a qualified mediator. Diana is currently on the Boards of Dunedin Symphony Orchestra and Life Education Trust.

Jim Hawker

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Jim is the Chief Financial Officer of Forsyth Barr. He has over 25 years’ experience as an accountant in a variety of roles, including audit for a major chartered accounting firm, group accountant in an Australian government owned entity, a position in acquisitions and mergers for an Australian company. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Otago and is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand (CAANZ).

Katherine Shaw

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Katherine is an Associate at Anderson Lloyd Lawyers and has experience in both property and commercial law. She also serves on the Management Committee of Community Law Otago and is a member of Otago Women’s Lawyers’ Society. She is passionate about building and enhancing interconnectedness between Otago and Ōtepoti whanau, communities, and our environment.

Amanda Burke

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Amanda has been the Director of Development at St Hilda’s since 2018. Her background is in education and communications. She has held teaching positions in secondary schools and taught in the University of Otago’s Foundation Programme from 2013-2018. She also established a successful e-commerce business which was sold in 2019. Amanda is currently studying towards a Masters in Counselling. Amanda has four children and is married to Chris. She feels strongly about serving her community and is looking forward to contributing as a Board member.

Elisabeth Cunningham

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Elisabeth Cunningham QSM, is the Bishop’s delegate. Elisabeth joined the Board in March 2019 having previously been a Board member 20 years ago. She trained as a teacher, was a member of the University of Otago Council for eight years, is an Emerita Canon of St Paul’s Cathedral, and was Chair of Leslie Groves Society for 20+ years. During that time, the hospital on Taieri Road was purchased and developed. A past president of the Otago Branch of National Council of Women, she currently convenes a committee to hold an annual Breakfast for years 12 and 13 school girls, inspiring young women.

Simon Courtney

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Our Partners

Our programmes are partially government-funded and approved and delivered free-of-charge to our diverse client base.

The majority of our work is funded under contract with Oranga Tamariki and the Ministry of Social Development. The Ministry of Justice funds our Restorative Justice Otago service. We also work alongside many other community organisations to ensure we're providing the best support for whānau.

As well as our programmes, we deliver other important services to support whānau and individuals in the Otago region. It is our generous donors that make this possible, and we are hugely grateful for this! Your support empowers Otago whānau. Donate and make a lasting impact.

Our Supporters

Annual Reports

Download our annual reports to learn about our progress and
accomplishments in fulfilling our mission.

How to Support Us

Anglican Family Care is proudly associated with the Anglican Care Network

Anglican Care Network Website