Meet Life A Plenty

Our Team

"Offering you a caring and comprehensive therapeutic service."

Jeanette Jones

Facilitator

Jeanette has been practising counselling in private practice since 2016 and has been working with Grief Support Services since 2020. Her role there has included individual grief counselling, co-facilitating psycho-educational programmes and coordinating support for those bereaved by suicide. She is also committed to supporting women through the challenges that come with parenthood and finding their way to living their best lives.

Robyn Kerr

Facilitator

Robyn has worked for many years as a Registered Nurse and as an Educator for 'Relationships Aotearoa' facilitating courses in self-esteem, communication, parenting and new migrants. She has also facilitated support groups; working alongside women in the areas of infertility, adoption, family planning, grandparents raising grandchildren and women newly diagnosed with breast and bowel cancer. Robyn has also worked in Vietnam educating and supporting care-workers of patients with Leprosy.

Barbara Hill

Facilitator

Barbara has over 35 years’ experience facilitating groups, with a particular focus on psycho-social education. She is passionate about working in the areas of mental health and wellbeing, communication, self-esteem, couple work, marriage preparation, and blended families. Barbara also works with and supports women who have experienced the associated impacts of post-abortion.

Jennifer Murray

Events Coordinator / Fund writer

Jennifer joined Life A Plenty in April 2023 as our Funding Coordinator and stepped into the role of Professional Development Coordinator in September 2025. She brings with her a rich background working alongside many of Tauranga’s local non-profit organisations in a range of roles. Jennifer has a genuine passion for the social sector and loves being part of initiatives that make a real difference in people’s lives. She’s inspired by the strength of community and the positive change that happens when people come together with purpose and heart.

Elaine Reber

Trust Coordinator

Elaine has spent many years in tertiary and secondary educational settings working with new migrants, refugees and international students, as well as providing adult literacy support. A further passion has been to engage with learning around wellbeing, organising small scale retreats for women. To see women released into their authentic selves is something she has consistently worked towards in her own life.

Our Board

"Each member is committed to combining their unique set of skills and expertise to offer you the service that bests fits your needs."

Barbara Hill

Facilitator

Unless there is a strong organisation behind the groundwork we do at Life A Plenty, then it may fail. All parts of a body need to work collaboratively to ensure we provide good quality service and outcomes. I am still learning, but believe firmly that the leadership of an organisation provides the framework and responses that trickle down to our whai ora and fellow professionals.

Neil Murray

A long term resident of the Bay of Plenty, Neil is passionate not only about improving access to care for those most in need, but also providing the governance to make the most impact with the resources available. In 2015, he was a recipient of the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Award for Outstanding Service in Prevention of Blindness. Neil is active in Governance, aware of its importance in stewarding resources to achieve purpose. He is a Chartered Member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors. His experiences in health have led him to understand that growing healthy communities starts with enabling women.

Danielle Brownlie

With over 10 years’ experience working in HR and over 12 years’ experience working in law firms, Dani brings a unique perspective to her role on the Trust. “I am really excited to be working with the wonderful Board at Life a Plenty Charitable Trust. It is an honour to work with the trustees and philanthropic people who have enabled the establishment and success of this Trust. I look forward to playing my part in furthering an organisation which provides such an important and quality service for the wāhine of Tauranga Moana and the wider Bay of Plenty.

Vicki Roberts

Previous experience with governance has taught her that a focus on vision and aligning governance processes to the goal are the best ways forward to serve our wāhine (and therefore all in their whānau) in Tauranga Moana. Vicki brings a background in pastoral work, community development, teaching, and board work, which equips her to resonate with any approach of nurture, care and equipping, and sound processes. Adding value and seeing people, organisations and systems grow and develop is success for her. & "Leading up" is the approach.

Robyn Kerr

Facilitator

I am passionate about the work of this Trust and the need for effective governance that will enable us to deliver on our mission statement. Previous governance experience with voluntary organisations, including Chair of Tauranga's Breast Cancer Support Services, and a career in both nursing and adult community education has given me a clear understanding of the importance of empowering women to make meaningful changes to their challenging lives that will positively impact both themselves and their families lives.

Whakapapa

The original ‘Life A Plenty’ concept arose out of a strong desire and commitment to offer a range of psycho-therapeutic programmes within the local community. During this formative stage of development, the concept of Women’s Retreats was being explored. These retreats would offer women who were feeling vulnerable and overwhelmed, the opportunity to take a break from their stressful lives in order to replenish their mind, body and spirit, and receive support to make positive change in their lives. It was envisaged the retreats would be free, and offer a safe and secure environment for the women to experience complete rest in a quiet, reflective atmosphere.

From pilot to six retreats a year

From its inception, LAPCT trustee numbers have continued to expand, with a current board of eight Trustees (including a Chairperson), and a remunerated Trust Coordinator. The Trust profile and credibility has grown significantly within the wider Bay of Plenty communities. From 2017 to 2023, the Trust supported 174 wāhine to participate in free therapeutic retreats, which are generously funded and continually endorsed by a wide range of local community agencies.

Life A Plenty Charitable Trust continues to offer many women in need within the wider BOP a safe and nurturing environment to take vital and essential time to rest, reflect and have time out in order to experience the benefits of replenishment and recuperation. Two professional facilitators offer invaluable therapeutic expertise and support during the retreats in order to create a life-changing experience for the women, their tamariki, whānau and wider community.

Our Vision

"Providing the highest quality service to people seeking freedom from emotional, psychological and spiritual distress"

Our Mission

"To walk with people finding meaning, hope and fulfilment in their lives."

Our Values

Respecting people of all religious, non-religious and spiritual perspectives.

Embracing hope and meaning.

Supporting change and the development of hope.

Providing high quality therapeutic interventions.

Embracing and creating evidence-based practice.

Creating a safe and secure therapeutic context.

Targeting change through effective planning, goal-setting and appropriate support.