Mission Statement
“To provide companionship and activities to seniors who are isolated within the community.”
CMA has been a part of Auckland since 1961 when the first day centre opened in Ponsonby. Since then, expansion has seen centres opened across Auckland, with 8 on the North Shore operated by North Shore CMA. To better reflect the services we now provide to the community, we’re better known as CMA – Companionship and Morning Activities for seniors.
Service Assurances
As it is likely important for you, it is just as important to us to provide services which meet the standards that we have set.
The following policies have been developed to ensure a quality service:
Who Are We
Governance Team Board Members
Ann Coughlan
Anne joined the CMA board in 2023 and was formerly the CEO of Mercy Parklands Hospital for nearly 22 years, until its closure in March 2023. Ann brings her extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of the aged and health care sector and the issues affecting our elders.
Ann has a special interest in end of life palliative care and dementia and is a Director on the NZACA Board and is part of the NZACA Nurse Leadership Group.
Robyn Walker
Robyn Walker has been a member of the Governance Team for North Shore CMA since June 2017. Robyn volunteered at the Mairangi Bay CMA centre from 2016 to 2018. Robyn has a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Computer Science, a Postgraduate Diploma of Business, and an MBA, all from the University of Auckland. Robyn has over 30 years experience in IT Project Management in NZ and UK. Robyn is also the General Manager for North Shore CMA since January 2024.
John Stewart
John has worked in financial services for over 35 years in New Zealand both internationally and in NZ, living on the North Shore for the past 18 years. John is passionate about giving back to the community and enjoys mentoring promising young professionals in the risk profession. For relaxation John enjoys spending time with his family, and walking his dog. John has travelled extensively and enjoys experiencing different cultures.
John Brodie
John has been a member of the Governance team in his current capacity since June 2021. He was educated in Palmerston North and graduated from Victoria University with a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration in Accounting and Law. He became a Chartered Accountant and after working in North America for several years returned to New Zealand in 1980 He has lived in the North shore for the past 40 years. He is the principal in his own small consulting firm and is transitioning into retirement. Through his involvement in the Aged Care sector and CMA he is keen to provide his ongoing support for community based care organisations.
Tom Simpson
Liz May
Liz joined the board in 2023. Liz was formally the CEO of ShopCare, a charitable trust that provides Industry leadership in Health and Safety across the Retail and Supply Chain Sector. Prior to that Liz had a lengthy career at Woolworths/Countdown and her last role there was as GM of Logistics. Liz believes that everyone lives a vital and important life and is passionate about ensuring that older adults continue to reach their potential.
Michaela Broehl Ciesilk
Kiri Beven
Melanie Blewett
Vivien W Verheijen
Staff Members
Robyn Walker
Robyn Walker has been the General Manager for North Shore CMA since January 2024. Robyn has been involved with North Shore CMA as a volunteer (2016 to 2018) and a member of the Governance Team for North Shore CMA since June 2017. Robyn has a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Computer Science, a Postgraduate Diploma of Business, and an MBA, all from the University of Auckland. Robyn has over 30 years experience in IT Project Management in NZ and UK.
Kiri Beven
Kiri is the mum of two girls. Her girls definitely keep her on her toes and they all adore being outdoors and love nothing more than being near the beach. In her younger years Kiri represented NZ at Waterpolo. Her background in work is mostly in the travel industry and one wonderful job was travelling the world and helping rate 5-star hotels. Kiri came on board with CMA in July 2018 and took over as our Support Officer at head office along with running one of our centres (Red Beach). You will also find Kiri as a representative on our board. Kiri has now moved fully to the office-based role of Funding & Marketing Manager. She is passionate about helping mature clients get more active and improve their general strength and wellbeing, and would love to study more around the areas of dementia and keeping active in our old age. She adores a good chat, and you will often find Kiri running late as she stops to chat to everyone. Coming from a sporty family she is a big believer in keeping your body as active as your mind.
Becky Little
Becky is mum of two children, a daughter and a son, who she enjoys immensely. Becky also runs her own successful bespoke clothing business. Becky moved to NZ some years ago from the UK, where she was a lawyer and welfare advisor. Since moving to NZ, Becky has become very involved in community life and making a difference for those she is involved with. Becky was instrumental in setting up the Eat Right, Be Bright initiative a few years ago, which has made a real difference for children in schools by providing school lunches. Becky is passionate about helping improve the lives of all the people she is involved with in her life and work. Becky joined CMA as a Belmont Centre Supervisor at the start of 2024.
Jacinda Tyson
Jacinda started volunteering at CMA in 2004 at the Sunnynook centre. She was employed as the supervisor of Sunnynook in 2016 and then went on to take on the Birkdale and Glenfield centres. Jacinda continues to bring warmth and enjoyment into her CMA centres. Jacinda feels that volunteers are the lifeblood of CMA and through her three centres she has volunteers from across the globe bringing diversity and inclusiveness. Sunnynook and Glenfield remain two of our largest centres with Birkdale keeping that small family feel that some enjoy more. Jacinda has a great passion for older people and recently completed her level 3 certificate in health and wellbeing through New Zealand Tertiary College.
Maria Ugarte
Maria moved to New Zealand in 2019 from Argentina with her husband and two young children and joined CMA in July 2022 and is the supervisor of Albany and Mairangi Bay. Maria has a degree in Human Resources, a degree as an ESOL teacher and more than 10 years experience in the Education area. While she was studying, she was the manager of a Retail store in Argentina for 6 years. Maria is also a volunteer at St John’s Primary school where her kids attend. She is thoroughly enjoying her new challenge here at CMA.
Moira Bryant
Moira has lived on the Hibiscus Coast for many years working as a caregiver and as a teacher for young people with disabilities. Moira has two adult children who are now living and working in their chosen careers both here and overseas. Moira has previous volunteered for CMA when her mother-in-law attended. Moira joined CMA at the end of 2023 taking over as Supervisor for the Coast Centres in Red Beach and Stanmore Bay from the start of 2024. Moira has a passion for helping others so is a good fit for our centres.
Annual Report
Annual Report 2023
Legal Structure
CMA is an Incorporated Society and registered with the Charities Commission (No. CC22808).We are GST registered: 38-971-158.