Meet Our Quit Coaches

Our Quit Coaches are health professionals qualified to help people become smokefree. They know the Smokefree methods that are backed by research and are trained to tailor specific programmes for everyone they help so the support is right for them.

Te Hā – Waitaha Quit Coaches are based across Canterbury and work in urban and rural locations.

 

Anthea Davidson

Anthea Davidson

He Waka Tapu

Tēnā kotou katoa.
Ko wai au.
Ko Tiranga te māunga
Ko Whakatāne te awa
Ko Mataatua te waka
Ko Whakatōhea te iwi
Ko Ōpape te marae
Ko Ngāti Ruatakena tōku hapū
Ko Anthea tōku ingoa
Kia ora koutou, my name is Anthea.

I work to help all tangata whaiora/people in the community to stop smoking and become smokefree. It is through whanaungatanga/connection with people that we can be most effective I believe. This mahi can be done by meeting in person within the home, workplace or any public space with any client who needs our awhina/help and tautoko/support.
Improved hauroa/health can be achieved by becoming smokefree is not just for one person, but for our whānau/family and whai ora/community too.

Mō tatou, a, mō ngā uri a muri ake nei – For us and those who come after us.

I look forward to supporting everyone be smokefree.
Bale Vuadreu

Bale Vuadreu

Tangata Atumotu Trust

Kia ora, Bula vinaka and warm Pacific greetings! My name is Bale and I serve as a Stop Smoking Practitioner. I love this work as it places me in a position to help others gain back the best versions of themselves.

There's so much to live for so prioritising our health should be uppermost for us all. Having said that, the journey is ultimately yours but do know that we are here to help you chip away at habits that take the best out of us.

I look forward to supporting you in becoming smokefree.
Christine Solomon

Christine Solomon

National Public Health Service

Kia ora koutou. I started with Te Hā-Waitaha in October 2016 and I have 14 years’ experience. I am passionate about working alongside whānau to become auahi kore. Guiding them to set attainable goals and sharing in their successes. I especially love working with hapu mama and their partners on the Pregnancy Incentive Programme as they’re trying to make a difference to their whole whānau. Once you identify the barriers to becoming auahi kore you can start chipping away at them and be successful in becoming auahi kore.

I look forward to working with you and your whānau.
Gina Straker

Gina Straker

Waitaha Primary Health

Being Māori myself, I have seen many of my own whānau struggle with smoking related illnesses and with some even death. This has pushed me to fight for my whānau and others who still battle with their addiction to have a better smokefree life.

I believe everyone has the ability to change and within my role, I can build on their strengths and offer options so that they can make a fully informed decision.

Our children are our future and I hope that going forward a smokefree Aotearoa will benefit them with better health outcomes for future generations.

I cover rural South Canterbury and mid-Canterbury. People in these areas live in isolation and this way we get to take the support to them, which can remove barriers.
Jesse Henderson

Jesse Henderson

National Public Health Service

Ko Te Poho O Tameatea Pokai Whenua te Mauka
Ko Whakaraupo te moana
Ko Takitimu ko Uruuao
Ko Makawhiu ka waka
Ko te Raki Whakaputa te Takata
Ko Kai Tahu te iwi
Ko Kati Wheke te hapu
Ko Wheke te hapu,
Ko Wheke te Whare tipuna
Ko Rapaki te marae
Ko Jesse tōku ingoa

I am committed to providing tautoko, promoting and advocating for individuals facing inequitable outcomes, and guiding them towards wellness, better opportunities, and healthier outcomes. I look forward to joining this path with them. In my spare time, I cherish my whānau, enjoying delicious kai, engaging in various sports activities, and playing music.
Joyce Heywood

Joyce Heywood

National Public Health Service

Ko Pukekaroro te maunga
Ko Kaipara te awa
Ko Mahuhu ki te rangi te waka
Ko Ngāti Whātua , ko Ngaphui, ko Ngāti Porou te iwi
Ko Te Uri o Hau te hapu
Ko Ōtamatea te marae
Ko Heywood tōku whānau
Ko Joyce tōku ingoa
Nō reira, tēnā kotou, tēnā katou, tēnā kotou katoa

I am Māori kaimahi working part time in the Smokefree space engaging with Hapu Māma and Whānau.
The other part of my role is as the Engagement Coordinator for Te Hā Waitaha Stop Smoking Support Services.
I look forward to being able to support all in my whānau and community in living a smokefree life.
let's go!