Dr. Deborah Powell

National Secretary

Deborah holds the overall management responsibility for the office with a particular interest in Collective Employment Negotiations and Personal Grievances. She represents health practitioners in claim situations with both employers and individuals. She holds a BSc from Victoria University and a Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery from University of Auckland.

Dr. Sylvia Duncan

Peripheral Region

Kia ora tatou, I'm Sylvia, a medical registrar based in Hastings. I've been passionate about the wellbeing of my colleagues for a long time and am stoked to support the RDA in their mission to find a balance of good patient care, safe doctors, and rested employees.

Outside of clinical medicine, I enjoy reading and watching science fiction and playing bass guitar. Living in Hastings has given me the opportunity to learn more about cycling and wine, both of which I've enjoyed thoroughly.

Living in Hastings has been fantastic in providing an opportunity to learn about healthcare provision - and employee safety - in these smaller regions. Between placements in Invercargill and Motueka and growing up in Blenheim, I've had a good education in peripheral health matters. As peripheral rep I'm a voice on the National Executive for some of our further flung centres to ensure more rural centres have their voice heard in our vision. Extremely happy to be contacted if anyone has any questions!

Dr. James Anderson

President

Kia Ora, my name is James and I am enjoying working and training as a Paediatric Registrar in Dunedin Hospital. I am originally from Scotland but moved to New Zealand in 2016. On arrival I spent some time rotating through medical specialties as a House Officer before beginning my training in Paediatrics.
I am passionate about supporting doctors achieving safe working conditions, hours and a decent work-life balance. If you have any issues I’m approachable and happy to help, even if it’s just for a chat.

Dr. Ralston D'Souza

Executive Secretary / Treasurer

I'm Ralston and I'm a dual training rural hospital medicine and GP registrar. I'm currently based in Lower Hutt working as an ED and GP registrar. I've been a delegate for the NZRDA since I graduated and started working in the Bay of Plenty.

I'm passionate about advocating for my patients and colleagues as both groups often feel they are not being heard. I strongly believe that the health and wellbeing of all healthcare professionals are directly linked to the quality of care that we deliver to our patients. Thus my aim is to listen to my colleagues, identify issues and provide solutions that will eventually lead to better outcomes for all.

Feel free to get in touch anytime!

Dr. Michael Peebles

Auckland Region

Kia ora, my name is Mike, and I'm a House Officer and soon-to-be Registrar working in Obstetrics & Gynaecology. I'm currently based in the Canterbury Region.

As doctors, we do a fantastic job of providing amazing care for our patients, but often at the expense of caring for ourselves. As such, I am incredibly passionate about the advocacy the RDA provides on reducing fatigue, allowing access to leave, and providing safer working conditions for doctors. If you ever have any issues, I'm always happy to be approached, and to give a hand, or just to be a friendly face to talk to.

Dr. Rosa Tobin-Stickings

Otago Region

Kia Ora,

My name is Rosa and I’m an advanced trainee in Emergency Medicine, currently based in Dunedin.

I have always had a keen interest in our MECA and even read it prior to gaining entry to medical school! I joined the RDA as a TI and became a delegate as a house officer. In this role, I have helped to improve rosters, advocated for individual members, and have been involved with the recent round of MECA bargaining. I am passionate about continuing to improve our working conditions and think we are stronger when we stand together.

Feel free to come and find me at work or message me if you have any union-related queries.

Dr. Hemi Enright

Community Representative

Kia ora, I'm Hemi the Community Representative on the NZRDA. After completing my House Officer years at Whangārei I completed GPEP1 in Northland. This included six months in a rural, high-needs practice and six months in an urban, high-needs practice. I then moved to Dunedin where I was an independent contractor in a busy urban practice for six months. I am currently completing my Masters in Public Health while commencing work as an employee at a Māori owned, marae based practice. I have been a part of the GPEP1 SECA bargaining team for the past three years, fighting for sequential pay rises from 82k to 104k as starting rates. I have been on the Registrar Chapter for the past two years and am currently the Secretary. Please contact ask@nzrda.org.nz if you require any further information and would like to get in touch.

Dr. Alex Hedley

Vice President

Tēnā Koutou,

My name is Alex Hedley. I am originally from the small northern Hawke’s Bay town of Wairoa.

I joined the RDA as a trainee intern because I wanted to be familiar with the conditions of employment from day one on the job. Since then I have been involved in enforcing the MECA interpretation within our DHB with good effect so far.

Within medicine, my interests lie in Surgery, Radiology and Emergency Medicine. I am currently gaining further experience in these areas to aid my decision making for my future career.

I have always been involved with representation and advocacy roles during my medical training and my time in the medical workforce. I have also always been a strong supporter of the union movement and the rights of employees in all industries. I look forward to continuing this work representing members from the significant number of regional centres around New Zealand. Feel free to contact me if you have any specific issues or concerns to discuss.

Dr. Bill Lu

Southern Region

Bill is a PYG4 based in Dunedin hospital training in psychiatry. Initially trained as a pharmacist, Bill spent a few years with the NZDF prior to attending medical school in Dunedin. He is interested in organisational governance with a number of board memberships within both private and public sectors. Bill has a 13 years old black lab named Bungy and enjoys working and running in his spare time.

Dr. Sophie Wakelin

Waikato Region

Kia ora koutou katoa

I'm Sophie, currently a PGY2 house officer based at Waikato Hospital. Although born in the windy city, my family originates from the southern Hawke's Bay and the Waikato, and I grew up in Atlanta, USA. I moved back to Auckland during secondary school, and have now been at Waikato for a little over a year and I love it here! And since I love it, I want it to be the best it possibly can be. I became a delegate and now a representative because I am very passionate about supporting my peers and advocating for their rights; I believe that we all deserve a healthy, safe work environment both for our own sakes and for our patients as well. The RDA as key to all the gains made in the wellbeing of RMOs over the last 30+ years and I'm keen to be a part of that legacy going forward!

In my spare time I love reading, tramping, running, and (badly) rock climbing. I'm always more than happy to have a chat if you ever need any support or advice, just reach out!

Dr. Maggie Lin

Auckland Region

I’m Maggie, a House Officer and a basic trainee in Medicine based in Auckland. I’ve been an RDA delegate since PGY1.

I first got into the RDA as they helped me navigate through some of the issues around leave as a new graduate. This allowed me to experience the power of a union and made me realise that I wanted to be part of the team striving for great good of all doctors. Our workforce are working in very challenging situations and are very prone to burnout and stress, so I am all for achieving safer hours, fair distribution of resources, health and wellbeing of other fellow colleagues. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out.

Dr. Kerry Appleton

Wellington Region

My name is Kerry Appleton and I am a PGY-2 house officer at Wellington Hospital. I have also worked at Hutt Valley and Kenepuru Hospitals over the past year. Longterm, I am planning on pursuing a career in surgery.

I’m the Executive Member for the Wellington Region. I am passionate about ensuring RMOs are aware of their rights within the workplace and wider healthcare sector, ensuring safe working conditions and advocating for RMOs.

I’m always happy to be contacted with questions or concerns by members in the Wellington Region or further afield.

Dr. James Simpson

Central Representative

Kia Ora!

My name is James Simpson, and I am currently a PGY3 medical registrar based in Whanganui Hospital. I grew up in Wellington and did my medical school years in Otago and later Wellington clinic school. I became a delegate and later an executive member because I am passionate about improving working conditions for junior doctors. I believe strongly in the gains we can make through collective action.

Feel free to reach out if you need help/advice on anything SECA/workplace related, or just want a chat!

Dr. Anne Chiang

Canterbury, South Canterbury & West Coast Region

Tēnā koutou, my name is Anne and I’m a PGY2 house officer based in Canterbury DHB. I grew up in Ōtautahi and have been a delegate for just over a year. I am passionate about ensuring safe working and training conditions for doctors throughout all stages of their careers. Whether you are a trainee or a trainee intern, come say hi and have a chat!

National Executive

YOUR EXECUTIVE

All members of the National Executive are delegates and many have participated in MECA bargaining in the past. It is a requirement of the NZRDA rules that all National Executive members be elected in accordance with the correct processes.

You can read the union rules here.

You can view the profiles of our current National Executive members below.

Your current President is Dr James Anderson. James is originally from Scotland but moved to New Zealand in 2016. He is currently working and training as a Paediatric Registrar in Dunedin Hospital. He is passionate about supporting doctors achieving safe working conditions, hours and a decent work-life balance.

COMPOSITION
The National Executive is composed of your President, Vice President, Executive Secretary, Treasurer, and Regional Representatives.

Main Functions

MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP
The National Executive’s main functions are:
– to manage the overall direction of the NZRDA’s activities throughout the year;
– to promote the objectives of NZRDA;
– to ensure implementation of any decisions made at an AGM and any National Membership Meetings;
– to hold other structures, bodies and officers of NZRDA accountable for their functioning;
– to resolve disputes or problems encountered between NZRDA members or bodies;
– to ensure that there is sound financial policy, including safeguarding any assets of NZRDA and managing its business (including investments);
– to ensure NZRDA’s compliance with its own rules and the law.

SMOOTH RUNNING
The National Executive is primarily charged with the responsibility of running the RDA between AGMs and acts upon input from members after being channelled through workplace representatives – your delegates.

Purpose

NZRDA DIRECTION
The National Executive is primarily charged with the responsibility of running the RDA between AGMs and acts upon input from members after being channelled through workplace representatives – your delegates. The National Executive is in essence the RDA’s ‘board of directors’. The National Executive provides leadership and works to ensure accountability processes are adhered to.

MEETING AND CONSULTATION
The National Executive come together to meet formally at least three times a year in addition to the AGM and at any other times it sees fit to discuss both current and future issues.

Meet your National Executive

Dr. Deborah Powell

National Secretary

Dr. Sylvia Duncan

Peripheral Region

Dr. James Anderson

President

Dr. Ralston D'Souza

Executive Secretary / Treasurer

Dr. Michael Peebles

Auckland Region

Dr. Rosa Tobin-Stickings

Otago Region

Dr. Hemi Enright

Community Representative

Dr. Alex Hedley

Vice President

Dr. Bill Lu

Southern Region

Dr. Sophie Wakelin

Waikato Region

Dr. Maggie Lin

Auckland Region

Dr. Kerry Appleton

Wellington Region

Dr. James Simpson

Central Representative

Dr. Anne Chiang

Canterbury, South Canterbury & West Coast Region

Get in touch with NZRDA

If you have any questions or general enquiries, get in touch with us using the contact details below or the form on this page.

Membership queries: membership@nzrda.org.nz
General & contract queries: ask@nzrda.org.nz

Freephone: 0800 803 993