Nurse Maude announces two executive appointments

20 July 2026

Nurse Maude has appointed Kelvin Mason as Chief Financial Officer and welcomed Rowhan Kelly as General Manager, Service Development. 

Nurse Maude has strengthened its executive leadership team with the appointment of Kelvin Mason as Chief Financial Officer and Rowhan Kelly as General Manager, Service Development. 


Kelvin has served as Interim Chief Financial Officer since February 2026 and has now been permanently appointed following an external recruitment process. 

He brings extensive executive, financial and transformation experience from previous roles with Westland Mineral Sands, Selwyn District Council and Meridian Energy. During his time as Interim Chief Financial Officer, Kelvin has already made a valuable contribution to Nurse Maude and its executive team. 


Kelvin said what particularly appeals to him about Nurse Maude is the opportunity to contribute to an organisation that helps people remain independent and well in their own homes. 


"I’m looking forward to helping ensure Nurse Maude continues to thrive and adapt, so it can continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of people and whānau across our community for many years to come." Kelvin Said   


Portrait of a smiling person in a dark blazer and patterned shirt against a light background

Rowhan joined Nurse Maude on 14 July in the newly established role of General Manager, Service Development. 


She brings extensive experience in customer strategy, innovation and service transformation across the health sector in New Zealand and Australia, having held senior leadership roles with Ryman Healthcare, Southern Cross Healthcare and Lumino the Dentists. 

At Nurse Maude, Rowhan will lead the development of customer-centred services, service integration, strategic growth, marketing and philanthropic impact. 


“What excites me most is the opportunity to build on Nurse Maude’s pioneering legacy and continue shaping more integrated services around the lives of people and whānau,” Rowhan said. 


“Innovation has always been part of the organisation’s DNA, and I’m looking forward to helping create a future where accessing support is simpler, services are closely connected, and care is designed around what matters most to the communities we serve.” 

Smiling woman in a beige vest and black top against a plain light background

These appointments strengthen Nurse Maude’s ability to deliver sustainable, responsive and innovative health and community services while remaining grounded in its longstanding commitment to caring for people in their homes and communities. 

Title slide reading “Suitcase Stories” with a crowd scene and purple gradient overlay

Suitcase Stories’ generous support for Nurse Maude Hospice

3 September 2026
A huge thank you to Chapter 1 and everyone involved in Suitcase Stories | Chapter1 , which culminated in the Runway Reveal event which was held on Sunday 30 August in the gallery. The event brought together Canterbury artists, supporters and the wider community around a very creative idea…transforming suitcases into unique works of art, with funds raised to support Nurse Maude Hospice and Koru Care Christchurch. Each artist was given a suitcase and invited to tell a story through art – there were 66 suitcases (most were vintage style) in total. The identity of the artists remained a mystery, so people have been purchasing the suitcases without knowing who had created them. Each suitcase is being sold for $500. The artists’ identities were revealed at Sunday’s event. The Runway Reveal was a great celebration of the project, with a group of young Koru Care recipients carrying the suitcases down the runway while wearing clothing they’d selected from our Nurse Maude op shops.
Press release graphic: older adult in wheelchair with caregiver and text “Aged care challenges need to be faced together”

Aged care challenges need to be faced together

18 August 2026
Nurse Maude has welcomed A Place to Grow Old as an important opportunity to rethink how New Zealand supports people as they age; moving from separate services and settings towards care that is connected around the person. Nurse Maude CEO Louise Zacest says the report provides a clear description of the key challenges facing the aged care sector and provides direction and recommendations on what is needed to address these. “As the report itself notes, these aren't challenges for the future – they are already here. We welcome the recognition that significant reform is needed, and that we need to start this work now.”