Manager, Southland

Kylie Munro is the manager of our Waihopai Invercargill exchange, where she is dedicated to supporting clients through needle exchange services. Her personal journey, including overcoming addiction, deeply fuels her passion for helping others facing similar challenges. Kylie places a strong emphasis on building meaningful relationships with clients, ensuring they feel valued and supported throughout their journey.

Outside of her professional role, Kylie prioritises her children and has a profound love for animals, reading, and music.

Executive Director

Philippa leads DISC Trust and has overall responsibility for the trusts harm reduction services which include needle exchanges, hepatitis C screening and treatment, health services, drug checking, and the nation-wide pharmacy needle exchange programme. DISC Trust is proud to be a peer-based-service and we take pride in the fact that we are a ‘trusted front-door’ for people who are hardly ever reached, face ongoing stigma and are often marginalised. Philippa is passionate about supporting the health and well-being of people who use or inject drugs and giving them a voice in the services designed to support them.

Philippa has lived in Waitaha Canterbury for most of her life, is married with three adult children and now enjoys central city living in Otautahi.

Accounts Administrator

Introducing Teresa, our experienced Accounts Administrator known for her efficiency and organisational skills in managing financial tasks. Her favourite part of her role is contributing to the positive impact that Disc Trust is having on a community that is often overlooked.

When she is not streamlining accounting operations for Disc Trust, she spends her free time cheering on her children from the side-lines, supporting their various activities and accomplishments.

Designated Nurse Prescriber

Kia ora koutou! Meet Leah, one of our dedicated nurse prescribers at DISC Trust. Originally from Whakatū, Nelson, Leah spent 8 years working in Melbourne at Primary Health Services for people who inject drugs and as an outreach nurse supporting those experiencing homelessness. For the past 8 years, she’s been a vital part of the Rodger Wright Community Clinic, and in 2021, she completed her nurse prescriber course to better serve our community. Leah is passionate about her role, especially when it comes to getting to know the people she meets and witnessing them take control of their health in their own time.

Outside of work, Leah enjoys spending time with friends and family, gardening, running (or walking!) in the hills, and diving into creative projects.

National Harm Reduction Lead

Experienced harm reductionist with extensive experience working in peer-based needle and syringe and harm reduction programs for people who inject and/or use drugs.

Jason has worked in both frontline and leadership roles within the New Zealand Needle Exchange Programme at a local and national level seeking to improve the health and well-being of people who inject/use drugs. He is a strong advocate for the rights of people who use drugs and believes PWUD (people who use drugs) should be treated with dignity and respect and have the right to receive good healthcare.

Experience in developing harm reduction resources for PWID (people who inject drugs) developing and delivering training for harm reduction workers. Jason also has experience providing educational talks about harm reduction, drug use, injecting drug use, opioid substitution treatment and hepatitis C to tertiary students studying medicine and pharmacy. He provides advice on harm reduction and drug policy matters. He uses his lived experience to challenge harmful policies and practices and to contribute to service improvement in the mental health and addiction sector.

Service Manager, Community Health

Meet Vanessa, our champion for health and community matters at DISC Trust. As the Service Manager, Community Health, she’s dedicated to health promotion and harm reduction principles, leading the Rodger Wright Community Clinic and Mobile Hep C Outreach across Te Waipounamu. Vanessa excels at building strong relationships and fostering whanaungatanga with everyone she works with. Her favourite part of the role is witnessing the positive impact of our initiatives on the community and celebrating those successes.

Originally from North Dakota, USA and now a proud Kiwi, Vanessa enjoys exploring our beautiful Aotearoa through hiking and photography.

Manager, Pharmacy and Partner Programme

Diane is the Manager of the Pharmacy and Partner programme, a national role to support participating pharmacies and alternate outlets across Aotearoa that are part of the needle exchange programme. This includes recruitment and training with ongoing support, engagement, and continuing relationships with their teams. Diane is proud to have been involved in harm reduction since 2013 and has seen many positive changes to the services provided to clients over that time.

When she's not in the office, Diane enjoys hitting the greens and perfecting her swing on the golf course.

Manager, Nelson Marlborough

Introducing Phil, our dedicated Manager, Nelson Marlborough. With over two years of experience, he is passionate about his work and the impact it has on the community. Phil thrives on the interaction with clients and takes pride in helping those in need, embodying the spirit of compassion and support that the exchange represents.

Originally from Christchurch, Phil spent the first 32 years of his life there before venturing to the deep south. In 1994, he visited Nelson for a Christmas holiday and was captivated by the stunning scenery, making it his home. After years of seasonal work, he found his calling at the needle exchange, where he enjoys the diverse and fulfilling nature of the role.

When he’s not at work, you can find Phil exploring the Nelson Marlborough region, embracing the natural beauty it has to offer.

Manager, Canterbury

Meet Belinda, our dedicated Manager for Canterbury. Based at the Rodger Wright Centre in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Belinda brings over 20 years of experience in needle exchange services to her role. Her extensive background spans various positions within the field, including managing the Timaru and Ashburton exchanges since 2015, and overseeing all of Canterbury from 2023. Belinda also served on the board of the National Needle Exchange Programme, underscoring her commitment and expertise.

Belinda’s passion for her work is evident in her enjoyment of front desk interactions and meeting new people. Originally from sunny Queensland, she has called New Zealand home for over 30 years.

Outside of work, Belinda is a fan of good food and books and shares her life with her beloved cat, Owyn.

Manager, Otago

Meet Serena, our dedicated Manger for the Otago region. Based at our needle exchange in Ōtepoti Dunedin, Serena is passionate about harm reduction, equity and the rights of people who use drugs.

With over 10 years' experience working in a variety of roles, she finds it extremely valuable to be able to use her life experience to help support clients and build relationships within the community. Her lived experience fosters and deepens reciprocity and empathy with clients and she enjoys the strong sense of community and solidarity. She loves having a job in a peer-based harm reduction service that is dedicated to help eliminate stigma against people who use drugs.

Serena grew up in Tapanui and has lived in Ōtepoti Dunedin since 2005. She has a senior cat named Tigger.