OUR NEW BOARD

Diabetes NZ is pleased to introduce the new faces on the Board of Diabetes New Zealand.

JENNY BLACK – BOARD CHAIR AND INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBER

Jenny qualified as a dietitian 40 years ago and began her working life in health. Her first 20 years involved many people of all ages with diabetes, and she says this hands-on experience taught her more than any lecture or textbook. The last 15 years of Jenny’s career have been in governance, chairing Te Hiringa Hauora/Health Promotion Agency and being a Director and Trustee on several other health entities. Jenny says it is a privilege working with people in health and believes that together we can make a difference.

DEE LODHIA INDEPENDENT - BOARD MEMBER

Dee’s dedication stems from personal experiences, spanning three generations – supporting her own whānau through their journeys with type 2. Dee is deeply committed to empowering ethnic and Pacific communities in managing type 2 diabetes more effectively. Dee currently holds positions on the Board of two not-forprofit organisations – Mangere Budgeting Services Trust and SAFE. She is a Chartered Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor, and a member of the Institute of Directors (NZ). Dee specialises in riskmanagement, Assurance, and Compliance within the Finance sector, bringing a wealth of expertise to her advocacy and service roles.

Having been on the Diabetes NZ Board for about six months, Dee has found the role rewarding and insightful. A highlight has been witnessing Diabetes NZ’s support of the roll-out of CGMs, insulin pumps, and insulin pump consumables, and Dee is hopeful that, in the future, these resources can be made available to individuals with type 2 diabetes as well.

HETTY VAN HALE INDEPENDENT - BOARD MEMBER

Hetty was appointed to the Board as a Trustee in April 2024. She has a background in corporate communications and marketing, and brings with her 25 years of governance experience covering a broad industry range, including experience on audit and risk committees. She also has a strong history of volunteering for community organisations and events.

Since starting on the Board of Diabetes NZ, Hetty has been humbled by the knowledge and passion of both Board members and staff for the cause of reducing the incidence of diabetes in NZ. She looks forward to the challenges ahead and to adding her governance experience to the pool for better health outcomes for New Zealanders.

Hetty is a current Board member of High-Performance Sport New Zealand, a Trustee of Central Lakes Trust, a Trustee of Northland Events Centre (2021) Trust, and a member of the Sport New Zealand finance, audit, and risk committee.

EPARAMA TUIBENAU - INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBER

Born in Fiji to a Fijian father and a Niuean mother, Eparama (Eps) moved to New Zealand at the age of six. His Pacific Island heritage gives him a unique perspective on the effects of diabetes within diverse communities. With three children aged 8 to 15, Eps prioritises health and wellness in his family, having seen the stark contrasts between island diets of unprocessed foods and the highly processed diets prevalent in New Zealand. These experiences, combined with six years living in Japan, have shaped his appreciation for cultural diversity and its impact on health and society with associations with genetics.

Eps’s journey to joining Diabetes NZ is deeply personal. A close friend lives with type 1 diabetes, and Eps’s mother, who has type 2 diabetes, suffered a stroke in 2021 – a moment that became a pivotal wake-up call. These experiences inspired him to contribute to the diabetes community.

Eps brings a wealth of experience in developing innovative software and web solutions across New Zealand, Australia, and Japan. His expertise in information security and compliance aligns with Diabetes NZ’s need to navigate the increasingly digital world. Eps serves on the board of his children’s school, Good Shepherd, and is an Executive Director at HealthSafe, a health and safety software company. His goal is to use his skills to empower Diabetes NZ’s leadership and operations.