Executive Committee

Rachael Jones

NZATS President

Rachael qualified 23 years ago in the UK as an ODP, and worked in a role doing 50/50 anaesthetics and scrub. She has a partner, Steve, and a grown-up daughter, Abby. They moved to New Zealand together in 2008, for some life experience, initially for a couple of years; 16 years later they are still here and call New Zealand home.

Rachael initially worked at Middlemore, then moved to Southern Cross for a few years where she became Training Coordinator for the Auckland region. Rachael then went to work at Te Toka Tumai Auckland, firstly, as educator for Level 4 (cardiothoracic and ORL) and level 8 (General, Trauma, Neuro etc), and then as Charge Anaesthetic Technician for level 9 (Women’s Health). Rachael is currently Theatre Manager at Waitemata.

Over the years Rachael’s passion for the professions has led to numerous projects and roles. In 2022 Rachael completed a Master of Health Service Management at Massey University.

Rachael LOVES her job and our profession. She is proud to be an Anaesthetic Technician and feels a sense of pride for what we do, what we can do in the future and our community. She gets immense satisfaction from inspiring others and helping individuals and our profession to grow and develop. To be President of NZATS and able to represent our workforce is a real honour.

Email: rachael.jones@nzats.co.nz

Andy Owen

NZATS Vice-President

Andy moved north in 2023 to join Te Tai Tokerau Whangarei Hospital as the Clinical Lead Educator. Having spent 18 years in Christchurch Public Hospital, after moving from the UK in 2005, it was time for a new adventure and new chapters in his career. A new job and new chances have led Andy to become part of the Executive Committee.

A keen interest in teaching and simulation have been part of Andy’s career for a long time now and the chance to help the future of our profession was one he could not refuse.

Time away from work is spent walking the beautiful beaches of Northland and exploring the part of the country that is his new home.

Email: andy.owen@nzats.co.nz

Helen Robinson

NZATS Secretary

Helen qualified as an ODP in 2000.  She moved to New Zealand in 2007 for a 1 year working holiday and she has never looked back.

She started her Anaesthetic Technician role at Wellington, Capital and Coast District Health Board and she progressed to the Team Leaders position in 2014.

Currently she works as the Team Leader for the Anaesthetic Technicians at Boulcott Hospital, Lower Hutt, Wellington. She started her role in here in 2021.  She also works casually at both the Hutt Public Hospital and Bowen Hospital.

When not at work, Helen can be found at the gym or on a yoga mat.  She loves reading, watching live music and singing in the community choir.

Email: helen.robinson@nzats.co.nz

Nicola Fann

Executive Committee Officer

Nicola is the Professional Leader for Anaesthetic Technicians, ADHB.
She has been an Anaesthetic Technician for a very long time; some of you would not have been born when she qualified! Over that time she has been an educator, and a charge tech at ADHB for 23 years before moving into her current role.

She has been heavily involved in NZATS for decades and been responsible for the registration exams since 2007.
When describing herself Nicola would say she is warm, friendly and cheerful. She values personal connections and cares about people’s needs, and finds herself wanting to do her best for everyone she meets, including patients, staff and her family.

Email: nicola.smith@nzats.co.nz

Jess Barbridge

NZATS Treasurer

I have worked as an Anaesthetic Technician for the past 5 years at Palmerston North Hospital.

I am originally from South Africa, I’ve lived in New Zealand for 13 years now, meeting my now husband while I was on my OE in the UK and then traveling to New Zealand with him. We have two beautiful girls aged 5 and 9. As well as doing my clinical work, I also do all the accounts and admin for my husband’s business, During our free time my love relaxing with a good book.

Email: jess.barbridge@nzats.co.nz

Aimee Atchison

Executive Committee Officer

Aimee is currently based as an Anaesthetic Technician at Te Whatu Ora Waitemata where she completed her training at the end of 2022. Prior to this she completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at the University of Auckland from which she hopes to achieve further postgraduate study in the future.

Her favourite thing about work is the wide range of specialties technicians are able to apply their skills – whether that be in the operating theatre or elsewhere in the hospital as part of the resus team. Aimee finds great value and pride in the work we all do to help others.

In her spare time, she can be found down at the beach with a coffee in hand or reading a book at home with her two cats.

Email: aimee.atchison@nzats.co.nz

Catherine Sinclair

Executive Committee Officer

Catherine’s whakapapa is to Shetland, England & Scotland.  She grew up in Ngāmotu, New Plymouth.  Moving to Te Papaioea, Palmerston North, Catherine studied General & Obstetric Nursing, through the Palmerston North Hospital School of Nursing.  At the same time, she began part-time study towards her Bachelor of Science (Zoology) through Massey University.

Catherine’s current role is Anaesthetic Technician Clinical Educator at Hutt Hospital, Te Awakairangi, Lower Hutt.  She has nursed in ED, Orthopaedic Ward & PACU at Palmerston North Public Hospital, and also as a Practice Nurse.  Catherine was a trainee Anaesthetic Technician for a year in Hutt Hospital in 1998 – 1999.  She then moved overseas which included working for 3½ years as a Medical Officer with the United States Peace Corps in Vanuatu.

Returning to Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington region in 2006 she worked at Bowen Hospital in theatre nurse and Anaesthetic Technician roles.  Catherine gained Anaesthetic Technician registration in 2012.  For the past 10 years Catherine has been working at Hutt Hospital primarily as an Anaesthetic Technician and also for a year in PACU.

As an educator, she is an enthusiastic supporter of students and colleagues.  She likes to keep up to date clinically, working 2 shifts a fortnight on the roster – and she particularly enjoys the acute theatre.

Catherine believes it is important to socialise our new scope of practice both within and beyond our profession.

Her spare time is often spent reading or walking the dog and publishing a black and white photo online every day.

Email: catherine.sinclair@nzats.co.nz

Jess Laloli

Executive Committee Officer

Kia Ora

My name is Jess Laloli, I am an Anaesthetic Technician Team Leader and CCL at Southern Cross Christchurch.

I trained in New Zealand and am passionate about continuing to share my knowledge to others training in this profession as well as supporting qualified Anaesthetic Technicians to grow and develop themselves.

I have a young family and live in North Canterbury. We enjoy going out and exploring, especially enjoying anything that involves water.

I am looking forward to being involved with NZATS and playing a part in developing and promoting the future of our profession in New Zealand.

Jess

Email: jess.laloli@nzats.co.nz

Willow Harper

Executive Committee Officer

Hi, my name is Willow. After finishing high school, I pursued a diploma in applied science before moving on to a Bachelor of Health Science in Perioperative Practice. During my studies, I had the opportunity to be a student representative, which also led to my involvement with NZATS as a student representative. In my final year, I was fortunate to receive the Canterbury/West Coast scholarship. I graduated in December 2024 and started my new role as a registered anaesthetic technician at Christchurch Public Hospital in January 2025.

I’m passionate about the evolving scope of practice in our field and excited to see where these new opportunities take us. Outside of the hospital, I enjoy travelling, running, hiking, reading, and spending time with family.”

Email: willow.harper@nzats.co.nz

Ashleigh Dittmer

Executive Committee Officer - Social Media and Communication

Kia Ora koutou,

My name is Ashleigh Dittmer, and I am a Registered Anaesthetic Technician with 14 years of experience across various New Zealand DHBs and private hospitals. Now settled in North Canterbury with my family, I bring a wealth of experience and well-established professional relationships.

Over the years, I have developed a strong passion for supporting trainee education and recently completed a Bachelor’s in Applied Business Management. I am excited about the growth of our profession and look forward to contributing to NZATS in the communications role.

Email: ashleigh.dittmer@nzats.co.nz

Saruja Sarveswaran

AUT Student Liason

Shristi Prasad

AUT Student Liason

Kia ora! My name is Shristi. I previously completed a Bachelor of Health Science in Nursing and am currently in my final year of a Bachelor of Health Science in Perioperative Practice at Auckland University of Technology.

What started as a fascination with the operating theatre has grown into a genuine passion for perioperative care, particularly airway management and the vital role anaesthetic technicians play in patient safety.

I am honoured to have been elected as Student Representative and look forward to supporting my student colleagues, fostering open communication, and helping create a positive and inclusive learning environment. I hope to be an approachable point of contact for my peers and help ensure all students feel heard, supported, and valued.

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini.
My strength is not that of an individual, but that of the collective.