OUR TEAM
The faces behind Family Drug Support
Management Team
PAULINE STEWART
Founder & Co-Executive Officer
Pauline is a Registered Psychologist with Counselling and Educational Scopes of Practice and is also a Registered Counsellor. A member of the New Zealand Psychological Society (MNZPsS) and a member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC), her background is psychology and education. Pauline was employed as a psychologist by the Ministry of Education in Southland for 16 years working as a Service Leader supporting children with high and complex needs
and their families. She established a private psychology practice in 2008 and undertakes psychological work and supervision.
Pauline has worked in the Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) field for over 20 years. In 2018 she founded Family Drug Support Aotearoa New Zealand.
CLAIR NICHOLLS
Co-Executive Officer
Clair is a UK Chartered Psychologist with over 20 years’ experience in social care settings supporting families through family breakdown, crisis situations, and challenges due to mental health or substance use. She is passionate about working alongside family/whānau and their communities to build understanding, reduce harm, strengthen relationships and build resilience.
Her approach is grounded in evidence-based practice, and she recognises that families are at the heart of sustainable recovery and have the power to drive meaningful change.
Clair joined Family Drug Support in 2020 as an Accredited Practitioner. Since this time, she has trained as an Assessor and Trainer before taking on her most recent role as Co-Executive Officer in 2025.
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PIP MEHRTENS
Administration Leader
Pip, The Generalist, is a business consultant for small and micro businesses and not-for-profit organisations. She helps start-ups determine commercial viability, create business and marketing plans, and helps them set up websites and business operations. Established organisations use Pip as a sounding board for ideas and challenges, to help them refresh strategies and plans, create websites, problem-solve, manage projects, grow revenue, plan and deliver marketing, write grant applications, and perform business operational services. Pip is currently bringing her operational, financial, marketing and administration expertise to Family Drug Support, acting as Administration Leader and Board Secretary.
ANA SANTOS
Clinical Leader
Ana is a Registered Psychologist in Brazil. She has a master’s degree in psychology in the Clinical and Social Interventions area and also obtained an MSc in Health Sciences Professional Practice, endorsed in Health and Community, at the University of Canterbury. Ana has worked as a professor and internship supervisor in the undergraduate Psychology course in Brazil and had a private practice since 2015. Ana started working as volunteer for Family Drug Support Aotearoa New Zealand in 2020 and became a 5-Step Accredited Practitioner and Assessor in 2021.
The Board
PAULINE STEWART
Trustee, Executive Officer
Pauline is a Registered Psychologist with Counselling and Educational Scopes of Practice and is also a Registered Counsellor. A member of the New Zealand Psychological Society (MNZPsS) and a member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC), her background is psychology and education. Pauline was employed as a psychologist by the Ministry of Education in Southland for 16 years working as a Service Leader supporting children with high and complex needs
and their families. She established a private psychology practice in 2008 and undertakes psychological work and supervision.
Pauline has worked in the Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) field for over 20 years. In 2018 she founded Family Drug Support Aotearoa New Zealand. She is currently the Executive Officer and Clinical Leader at Family Drug
Support. She is also a Board member. In 2022 Pauline was awarded one of the 100 Kiwibank Local Hero awards.
JOHN BARR
Independent Director & Chairperson
John is a professional director and provides governance, business operational and strategic advice at the managing director / owner level, primarily for SMEs. Primary roles include the St George’s Hospital Society President and Director; Chairman at Canterbury Scientific, Southern Horticultural Products and Aqualinc Research; a number of governance advisory roles; Business Mentor; and membership of the GlobalScot Scottish business support network. John has chief executive and directorship experience across a broad range of industry environments, covering manufacturing, contract manufacturing, technology and electricity company trusts. His directorship and governance roles began in 1990. He is a past National President of the New Zealand Organisation for Quality.
JOSEPH TYRO
Trustee, Cultural Advisor
Joseph is a registered social worker and for the past 30 years has worked in social work, health, management, leadership, governance and executive leadership roles. He holds a national role as Principal Advisor for Health New Zealand, Adjunct Social Work Lecturer for Open Polytech and is Kaihautū Māori for Hōhepa Canterbury. Joseph has masters’ qualifications from the University of Canterbury and Auckland Institute of Technology and is a member of New Zealand Institute of Directors. Joseph serves a number of communities, hapū, regional, national and international governance roles. He is a proud recipient of multiple community, health, leadership and governance awards. Joseph is driven by the hopes and dreams of his grandparents and is passionate about advancing health outcomes for all and upholding aspirations of tangata whenua Māori.
PETER FERNANDO
Trustee, Legal Advisor
Peter is a Partner in law firm Duncan Cotterill’s corporate and commercial team. He specialises in information technology, consumer, and intellectual property law, supporting clients on a range of commercial and contracting matters. Outside of work, Peter enjoys playing cricket and spending time with his wife and young son.
JAN SPENCE
Trustee
Jan has recently retired from 22 years in leadership and management of addiction and mental health services at the Christchurch City Mission. Currently she is providing clinical supervision for staff working in alcohol and other drug (AOD) services. Jan has a mental health nursing background with a Master of Health Science degree endorsed in Mental Health. Jan enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and travelling with her husband.
KLARE BRAY
Trustee
Klare Braye is a seasoned leader in addiction services with over two decades of experience spanning clinical practice, policy advisory, workforce development, and strategic leadership. Currently serving as Director of The Salvation Army Bridge Services for Wellington and Manawatū, Klare provides clinical, financial, and systemic oversight across a range of community, residential, and justice-related programmes. Her career reflects a deep commitment to tāngata and whānau-centred approaches, equity in service delivery, and the integration of lived experience into policy and practice. Klare holds a Master of Health Sciences with Distinction, is a registered addiction practitioner and supervisor with dapaanz, and has contributed to national and international publications on addiction workforce wellbeing. Her work is grounded in evidence, ethics, and a passion for improving outcomes for those affected by substance use.