About Us

The Christchurch Aunties is a passionate and diverse network of people who share a common vision and mahi: a Canterbury where all women and children affected by abuse and family harm are safe, supported, and well resourced.  Our small team of two is supported by a board of trustees and more than 40 passionate volunteers who make our work possible.

  • 2014

    Heather Mills receives a call from a friend asking for help to support a whaiora who moved to Christchurch to escape violence. 

  • 2015

    Over the next year, Heather learns of the need and begins supporting two women's refuges in Christchurch. She runs this out of a single garage in Woolston and through a network of contacts in Christchurch. 

  • 2017

    The Christchurch Aunties formally register as a Charitable Trust and work with local organisations to create drop-off points. We move out of the homes and garages of our Aunties and begin operating out of 'The Attic'.

  • 2021

    The Aunties moved out of the Attic and into a larger HQ to meet growing demand. We also celebrated the arrival of our leased van by holding a naming competition. The winning name, “Jan,” quickly became part of our story. With Jan on the road, we were able to deliver entire households of essential items.

  • 2022

    We were now supplying donations to fifteen organisations across Christchurch, and the needs had shifted from smaller essentials to larger items such as sofas and refrigerators.

  • 2025

    We have invested in our own larger, fit for purpose van named Nan, which enables us to better meet demand. We continue to directly support 15 family harm agencies, while also partnering with many others - such as PIPS and Dress for Success, when donations we receive can benefit their clients.

Meet The Team

Bernie McCarthy
Bernie McCarthy
Chairperson
Bernie McCarthy is a mum to three, a business owner, volunteer and has served on various not for profit and school boards. She enjoys the outdoors and has done many multi day tramps with her family...
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Sasha Uhrbom
Sasha Uhrbom
Trustee
Sasha Uhrbom is a student at the University of Canterbury, majoring in Chemistry. In his free time, (although there isn't so much of that any more!) Sasha enjoys playing bass guitar and analysing music...
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Lisa Tau
Lisa Tau
Trustee
Lisa Tau (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi) is a proud mum of three and wife to a passionate Warriors supporter. She manages her time between a busy corporate role in a sales team for a travel management provider...
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Hannah Marks
Hannah Marks
Trustee
Hannah is a busy mum to two very energetic wee boys and patient (she thinks) wife to a mountain bike loving husband. She takes energy from spending time with amazing people and so loves spending time with friends and family....
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Jessie Manney
Jessie Manney
Trustee
Jessie moved to Aotearoa from Canada in 2015 and quickly found her place in the community sector. Her work has centred on helping non-profits thrive...
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Wendy McArthu
Wendy McArthu
Trustee
Wendy McArthur has a long history working in Christchurch organisations as a Human Resources Professional and has spent a number of years consulting in the not-for-profit sector...
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Ellie Jones
Ellie Jones
Partnerships Manager
Ellie is the newest addition to the Christchurch Aunties, having joined in June 2025. She settled in Christchurch after living in London for 8 years. Ellie loves just about every sport going, and can often be found running, snowboarding or hiking...
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Rebecca Gamibit
Rebecca Gamibit
Operations Manager 
Rebecca is a mum of two wonderful children and wife of a sports loving husband. Born and bred in Otautahi, she enjoys spending time with family and friends and learning the guitar in her spare time.
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