Who we are



Parent Help is a Wellington based charity (CC10475) that has been offering services to families since 1989.
We provide help with all parenting issues from the smallest to the most serious issue of child abuse.
At the heart of Parent Help are the people who work, volunteer and support the organisation.

Our staff

The day-to-day management of Parent Help is undertaken by an amazing team dedicated to the well-being of children and families:

Nicola – General Manager
Sara – Coordinator
Sarah – Counsellor
Zosia – Counsellor
Laura – Counsellor
Ali Smith – Finance Officer

Our board

Gael Woods (Chair)

Gael became the Board Chair in 2020. Her professional background is in journalism and communications. Since 2018, Gael has been a Communications Specialist at Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu.

Gael’s first story as a beginning journalist 40 years ago was, coincidentally, about Playcentre. Gael was the education reporter on Wellington’s Evening Post in the early 1990s and education correspondent at RNZ for 12 years until 2010. Gael has also written about education and parenting issues for a wide range of publications.

She is a columnist as well as an author. She has written a children’s book, “The Bellbird Sang”.

Gael is married to Joseph, they have four adult children and four granddaughters, aged from one to three.

Douglas Pauling (Secretary & Treasurer)

Doug was born in Gisborne, grew up in Napier and Wellington before moving to Auckland in 1960 at the age of 15.

Doug lived in Hong Kong with his family for 13 years. On returning to New Zealand he started Air Affairs NZ Ltd in 1984 to service the New Zealand, Defence Force.

Doug has been appointed an Honorary Captain by the RNZN in recognition of his tireless efforts to meet their requirements and his customer focus. Doug is a trustee of the Toy Foundation, a Senior Member of the New Zealand Electronics Institute and a Member of the Institute of Directors.

He is married to Raewyn, resides in Auckland, they have two daughters, two granddaughters and two grandsons.

Pip Townsend

Bio to come

Kim Williamson

Bio to come

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