Our People
Light on paid staff but heavy on volunteer commitment and resources, we strive to find the right balance to maximise the support to families and their precious babies.
As we’re all about people (helping and supporting people), we felt it was the right thing to give you an insight into the team – read the details provided by the people themselves.
In addition to the below, you can read about the great work some of our great volunteers do on this page.
Sarah Rusholme
Tumu Whakarae Chief Executive
Sarah joined the Little Miracles Trust in 2024, proud to be giving back to a charity that supported her and her family throughout their NICU journey.
Her sons, Cormac and Ziggy were born at 34 weeks after a Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome pregnancy. Ziggy died before delivery, and Mac spent several weeks in Wellington NICU. As a result, Sarah and her family are passionate supporters of the Little Miracles Trust and SANDS NZ, having experienced firsthand the difference their support makes.
Sarah started out as a scientist and has a PhD in medical genetics. She soon swapped the lab for not-for-profit sector leadership, and sits on a number of boards – including Dyspraxia New Zealand: another small organisation that does fantastic mahi across Aotearoa!
Outside of the Trust, Sarah is mum to thriving high-schooler Cormac, and his older brothers: Isaac & Rufus. Her partner Stephen and two SPCA rescue dogs round out the household. To unwind, she loves cinema, walking the dogs on Wellington’s beautiful beaches, and swimming.
Justine Brooker
Operations Manager
Justine is a born and bred Wellingtonian and has been part of the team at The Little Miracles Trust since 2016.
All 4 of her boys were born prematurely which has fed her desire to help others in a similar situation.
Her passion for The Little Miracles Trust truly developed after the extreme arrival of her youngest son Harlow, who was born at 24 weeks.
Being able to help support families during what can often be a daunting and stressful time is why Justine is now devoted to raising awareness for The Trust and supporting neonatal families.
Prior to joining The Little Miracles Trust, Justine shared the story of her son Harlow’s arrival as part of the 2014 World Prematurity Day awareness activity. You can read the article here. You can also read part of her story in the published book The Unexpected Patient by Dr Himali McInnes.
Samantha Bennett
Funding Manager (Part-time)
Jadey Drury
Service Delivery Manager (Part-time)
Jadey is a mum of two, 7 year old Frankie who was born at 28 weeks and spent 76 days in Wellington NICU and 7 days in Whanganui SCBU and 5 year old Ivy who is the sass queen of the family.
Jadey received so much support from The Little Miracles Trust when she was a long way from home after having Frankie. It was here that her want to help others started. She has so much passion to support families in the unit during their journeys and afterwards.
Jadey is originally from the UK and has lived in NZ for 8 years, her and her husband spent the first few years exploring all NZ has to offer, it was at this point they decided this was where they wanted to raise a family.
When she isn’t working with The Little Miracles Trust or running around after her little ones she is either styling hair, events and weddings or snapping pictures.
Chavvah Harlock
Family Support Coordinator – Auckland (Part-time)
Chavvah was thrilled to join The Little Miracles Trust. A mum to two ex-prems – Hudson, born at 25 weeks, and Sloane, at 34 weeks – she lives in West Auckland and enjoys spending time at local parks, beaches, and the zoo.
After leaving the corporate world to be more present with her children, Chavvah is excited to support families through The Little Miracles Trust.
Having experienced the incredible care and support the Trust provided during her own NICU journeys, she is eager to give back and help others navigating a similar path.
Samantha McRae
Family Support Coordinator – Middlemore (Part-time)
Sam is excited to be part of the Little Miracles team. A stay-at-home mum to Finnley, who was born at 27+1 weeks, she experienced nearly four months in Auckland Hospital NICU. Despite a challenging start, Finnley is now a happy, thriving boy with a love for wheels and water.
Having been through the NICU journey herself, Sam is passionate about giving back. She looks forward to supporting families through their own experiences, easing their load, and providing guidance – just as the community did for her during her toughest times.
Linda Te Arii
Family Support Coordinator – Middlemore (Part-time)
Kia Orana, my name is Linda Te Arii, I am 29 years of age and a proud mother of 2. I am New Zealand born Cook Islander and a proud one at that!
My firstborn sons name is Zachariah, who graduated to the heavens is 3 years of age. My second born sons name is Zyon and is currently 2 years old and is a NICU/SCBU graduate who was born 29 weeks premature and is now living his best life since graduating from NICU/SCBU.
Although life has been a rollercoaster of ups and downs especially with losing my firstborn and then being in the NICU/SCBU space with my second son, I am hugely passionate about being a shoulder to lean on and a ear for our families who will journey through the seasons of life.
Truly grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Little Miracles Trust family and also thankful to the Little Miracles staff and MMH staff who supported me and my family during our journey and I look forward to bringing lived experience to this space too! Meitaki Nui.
Trish Lapthorn
Family Support Coordinator – Waikato (Part-time)
Originally from Waimate, Trish has lived in Te Awamutu with her family for the past five years. Her husband, Barry, is from the UK, and together they have three daughters. Twins Ella and Abi were born at 29.5 weeks in Osnabrück, Germany, in 2004 while Barry was on a military posting.
Their NICU journey was challenging, with no family or friends nearby and the added difficulty of navigating medical terms in German. However, the support from NICU staff made a huge difference. Five years later, they were fortunate to return with their daughters to visit the NICU. Their third daughter, Kate, was born in New Zealand, arriving just past her due date.
NICU has touched Trish’s family in many ways, as two of her sisters have also experienced NICU journeys in Christchurch. When not supporting families on the ward, she works with international exchange students as a local coordinator for Student Travel Schools and enjoys hosting students in her home.
Jemma Hartley
Family Support Coordinator – Christchurch (Part-time)
Jemma is passionate about supporting families going through the NICU experience and really enjoys working alongside the NICU team at Christchurch Womens Hospital.
Jemma is Mum to Georgia and Ella and has experienced NICU firsthand, when at her 20-week scan with Ella they picked up she wasn’t growing so well, from there Jemma and Ella were monitored and under the care of Maternal Fetal Health at Christchurch Womens Hospital until Ella was born at 36 weeks weighing in at 1.7Kgs. Ella spent her first 7 Weeks moving her way through the NICU at Christchurch Womens before coming home.
Jemma is married to Steve who works in the broadcasting Industry and are both from Christchurch, they lived in Auckland for 10 years while both building careers, before moving back to Christchurch to build a new home, be closer to their family and friends and start their own family.
Susie Cant
Family Support Coordinator – Christchurch (Part-time)
Susie is married to Ian and is the proud mother of their IVF miracle baby, Charlotte (Lottie), born on July 8, 2021.
At her 20-week scan, doctors discovered her cervix was shortening, leading to close monitoring by Christchurch Obstetrics. At 23+6 weeks, she was admitted to Christchurch Women’s Hospital for bed rest, and just two weeks later, Lottie arrived at 25+6 weeks, weighing 714g. Born “En Caul”—still inside the amniotic sac with the placenta attached—Lottie faced a challenging start, including a lung tear and a grade 4 bilateral intraventricular hemorrhage. Despite the odds, she fought through a 140-day stay in NICU, becoming a beloved little celebrity among the staff.
Through this journey, Susie saw firsthand the need for greater support for NICU parents. She naturally became a source of comfort for other mothers and often voiced her desire to make a difference when the time was right. Now, she is thrilled to see the Trust expanding its presence in Christchurch and is excited to join Jemma and the Little Miracles Trust team, passionately supporting families on their NICU journeys.
Shelley Gorman
Family Support Coordinator – Dunedin (Part-time)
Shelley, and husband Glenn, are parents to Mia who joined the Dunedin NICU family in 2012. After Shelley’s waters broke unexpectedly at 25 weeks, Mia arrived at 28+2 gestation. Glenn, a yacht Captain, flew home in time for the birth and managed the first cuddle out of the incubator just before having to fly back to work. These days, when Glenn is ‘off swing’ the trio love enjoying time in Glenn’s birthplace; beautiful Karitāne, and walking Huriawa peninsula with their wonderful Labradinger, Stella.
Shelley is eternally grateful for the wonderful staff of the unit, along with her dedicated mother, who together made the ten-week NICU journey the most positive experience it could have been. She feels blessed to have the opportunity to similarly support whānau on their unique journeys through Dunedin’s NICU.
Chris (Christine) Smith
Family Support Coordinator – Wellington (Part-time)
Being able to draw on her experience as a parent of premature babies, her volunteer work with several community/ parent groups, plus paid work with a maternal mental health support group, led Chris to this role.
When not working with The Little Miracles Trust in Wellington NICU, Chris is Professional Growth Mentor and Visiting Lecturer in the education sector – working with both student and beginning teachers.
Chris enjoys working with her colleagues to ensure the parents and whānau receive the care and support they deserve while facing what can be really challenging and emotional times when parenting their child who is in NICU.
Anita O’Connell
Developmental Playgroup Coordinator – Christchurch
Anita is thrilled to be part of the Little Miracles Trust. A British Indian who moved to New Zealand over 20 years ago, she is married to John and together they have two young children, Ezra (8) and Lily (6), along with three wonderful adult children from John’s side.
Her journey with NICU began when she was pregnant with Lily, and her waters unexpectedly broke at 23 weeks. Remarkably, Lily remained in utero for another three weeks before arriving at just 850g. The experience was overwhelming, with countless difficult conversations and the challenge of caring for their 22-month-old son. However, the support of NICU staff, friends, family, and their faith helped them through 3 ½ months in NICU.
Since then, Anita has wanted to give back and began volunteering in early 2024. Now, she is excited to take on a formal role with Little Miracles Trust, supporting families on their own NICU journey, including after discharge with our community playgroup.
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