Our Team

General Manager - Natalie Boyd

Hi my name is Natalie Boyd and prior to my promotion to the role of General Manager in April 2023, I was employed by Eastern Coromandel Community Services as a registered social worker. I am a mum of two boys, one is 12 and the other is a one year old.

I have lived in Whangamatā for two years, coming from Rotorua where I worked as a social worker for Oranga Tamariki for seven and a half years.

I moved to Whangamatā so I could bring up my boys in a town and community that has outdoors recreation and is a safe place for them to grow up in.

I am dedicated to helping the community in any way I can - whether through the social or personal support of themselves or their whānau.

OSCAR Programmes/ Financial Mentor / Community Vehicle - Jess Morrison

Hello my name is Jess, I came to New Zealand to live in 2019 having spent 2018 travelling India and Nepal. I always knew New Zealand would be my home since touring here on family holidays.

My role includes Financial Mentoring, OSCAR Kids Club Coordinator, Community Vehicle Coordinator, Food Bank and Community Support. I have been working at the Community Services since November 2021.

I love being a part of helping this community and I am proud of all the services we provide for others.

My joys in life are my twin girls, art and painting and the coast.

Whānau Support / ISR / Community Connector / Stop Smoking Practitioner - Heleene White

Kia Ora My name is Heleene White.

I have been working at the Community Services since 2019.

In my role I support and advocate for whanau in a range of areas including but not limited to, family harm, food support, Community Connection.

My mahi is to empower Whanau to confidently navigate services, whilst creating opportunities to develop life skills to ensure their ultimate wellbeing.

In the Family Harm space I work along side both the Victim, Perpetrator and Whanau to ensure the safety and wellbeing needs are meet for everyone.

As a wrap around support for whanau, I present the ‘Seasons for Growth’ program to Tamariki experiencing difficulties as well as Parenting Programs.

As a Stop Smoking Practitioner I also support people in our community to stop smoking.

My passion is ‘People and Place’ connecting the two.

I am fortunate to live in Whangamata with my two Tamariki, we love everything this amazing place has to offer and utilise the incredible beach and bush.

Counsellor - Moira Shorten

Tena koutou katoa,

I am Scottish but have lived in New Zealand in rural South Auckland for over 30 years.

I have recently moved to live permanently in Whangamata after several years of holiday visits.

I am a trained counsellor and have been a member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors since 1997.

I have worked with children, adults and particularly teenagers as a school counsellor and in private practice. I have undertaken training in child mental health and psychotherapy practice. I also offer supervision for counsellors and others in the helping professions.

I am married with three adult children and 7 mokopuna.

Reception/Admin - Renee Wallis

Kia ora koutou,

I’m Renee and am the receptionist and administrator here at ECCS. I joined the team in October 2022 and am loving working with our local community. I have a long connection with Whangamatā, and have been living here permanently for the past 2 years. It brings me great joy to be meaningfully contributing to a community I have been a visitor to for so long.

My background is in environmental studies, development and management and I aim to integrate this knowledge and skillset into how we work. I’m particularly passionate about sustainability, human-nature connection, creative community building and herbal medicine. I am currently a Diploma Student in Medical Herbalism, and am seeing clients as part of my study.