As a child growing up in Scotland, the story goes that Carol was always looking at the clouds, or to be found tucked away in a corner reading a book.  

Being still and looking to the horizon. Those early personality traits have endured despite working for over four decades as a doctor. Her sixteen years in solo general practice in Coromandel and then in Ngunguru was as much about her learning to understand community as it was about her being there to serve. Carol knows now that she had a lot to learn! 

So too it was the best training for palliative medicine, which has been her chosen practice since the late 1990s. Carol has understood for a long time that medicine can do much for us, yet only so much. Her heart has always been to share understandings, to give people options so they can choose what’s most important for them. This is the heart of compassionate communities.  

Iwi, Whanau. 
E uri au, noa Te Ao Pouri, Ngati Kahu Ki Whangaroa, Whakatohea, Whanau Apanui, Ingarani, ki te taha toku Matua Papa a Kereti Henare. 
E uri au, noa Ngati Porou, Kotimana, Te Ai Taanga a Maahaki, ki te taha toku Whaea, toku Mama, toku Koka, toku Whai ipo, a Mere Tekiri Rewai Mihi, Riihi/Reid, ( Puia, ( ingoa whangai ) Henare. 

I, a Sibley of fifteen, number four in the pecking order, the eldest alive. 

Eight tamariki have had the pleasure of being housed in my whare Tangata, Nani to eighteen mokopuna and two mokomoko. 

Korero ano/further information. 

Deepest of respect to my very dear mother, Mere Te Kiri Rewai Riihi Puia Henare, and my Koka Heeni Phillips. Noa Rongomaiwahine/Ngati Porou ia. Maumaha kia korua, moe mai, moe mai. 

I am privileged to have as my 1st point of contact regarding Te Ao Maori and knowledge of our Whanau, Hapu & Iwi. my beautiful Uncle, Whakahawera Rerekite Pakanga Kerr. Knower as a (Big Man, big heart, Libby Kerr ) my uncle is in his eighty-first year. My beautiful Uncle past  this May 2023.

My passion lay in the pakiwaitara/mythical stories, along with the many Punaa that store and hold the Matauranga of our Tupuna, Tipuna, and Mokopuna. Held and told by Wahine Maori. We as Mana Wahine, and Tangata Whenua hold the power of contentment and social order within whanau, hapu. Whare Tangata – womb, house of humanity. The reproductive body of Maori Wahine lay within the depth and sheer beauty of Te Reo Maori, beyond the tuakiri. 

He whakapapa tou He tuakiri ano tou. Reclaiming and understanding, the importance of knowing one’s whakapapa. Especially living in an urban environment today.

Maria is the project manager and community liaison for the Honohono Tātou Katoa project. With an eclectic background as an engineer, entrepreneur, nature educator, yoga and mindfulness teacher, event organizer, and proud mother of three, Maria brings a wealth of experience to her role. Her true passion lies in transforming meaningful and impactful ideas into reality.

Having experienced the loss of her parents at a young age, Maria views Death as her most profound teacher and companion in life. She firmly believes that by cultivating knowledge about death and dying, we can alleviate fear and be better prepared.

Maria loves being in nature and you will often find her hiking in the bush or playing outside with her husband and children.

I am a doctor and the current Hugh Green Fellow at Mercy Hospice, applying the latest research and public health palliative care knowledge to the Honohono Tātou Katoa initiative. Before working at Mercy I spent my time working in general hospital medicine and medical education, but my passion lies in palliative care and public health. I love taking a creative approach and working with others to make positive change. 

Working in palliative care and Honohono Tātou Katoa has taught me the importance of living life to the fullest and how valuable that last stage of life is.

Outside of work, you’ll generally find me cooking with my husband, attending community night classes or hanging out with my dog. I keep busy with various projects whether that be knitting, painting or making something on the wheel at the pottery studio.  

Lana was born and raised in Waitākere, Tāmaki Makaurau, with family emigrating from Serbia and England. Mid-way through 2023, Lana completed a ten-week social work placement with Honohono Tātou Katoa, gaining valuable insights into community-based palliative care and a passion for normalising conversations around death and dying. Now, while pursuing a Master of Social Work (Professional) at the University of Auckland, she continues her involvement as an Equity Advocate with the project. Within her work, Lana uses human rights and strengths-based approaches, as well as anti-oppressive practices. In her leisure time, she enjoys forest walks with friends, painting, road trips, and tending to her taha wairua.