About Tend Women's Health Week

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Cecilia Robinson

Why Aotearoa needs a Women’s Health Week

In New Zealand, there’s Movember, Blue September and Men’s Health Week. However, I was staggered to find out that not a single second, minute, hour, day, or week is dedicated to women's health week in Aotearoa. Our wāhine are the pillars of our communities, often serving as the primary caregivers in households and making crucial health decisions for their entire whānau, usually at the expense of their own wellbeing.

As a mother raising three children, including my daughter Leila, I understand deeply how women in our society juggle numerous roles. We are all someone's daughter, mother, sister, grandmother, auntie, and niece. From my experience at Tend, I know that many women suffer in silence and put themselves last. It is vital for more women to understand that their wellbeing is important and that taking care of themselves is a sign of strength. By prioritising our health and happiness, we become stronger, more resilient, and better equipped to face life's challenges.

I hope the conversations shared during Women’s Health Week help all women out there in their health journey. Ladies, please remember how precious you are.

Cec x

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About Tend Health

After enduring the heartbreak of fertility issues and the loss of two babies, Cecilia and James Robinson's lives were transformed by a digital consultation with two specialists in Australia, resulting in them now having three beautiful children. This experience was not only convenient but also profoundly transformative, realising the potential of accessible healthcare.

Motivated by their personal ordeal and the impact of accessible specialist advice, they were driven to explore how they could extend this innovative healthcare approach to fellow Kiwis.

Their vision led to the creation of Tend, now one of Aotearoa's leading primary healthcare providers. Tend offers a seamless blend of online and in-clinic consultations, all managed through the innovative Tend app, redefining healthcare access across the motu.

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Whānau ora can’t be achieved without wāhine ora. Healthy mothers ensure
healthy families.”

Ngā Wananga Pae Ora 2023 participant
Women’s Health Strategy

Proud Sponsors

Wonderful Partners

Our Experts

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Dr. Eileen Sables

Dr. Eileen is a GP at Tend Pakuranga with decades of service to the community. Renowned for her ability to explain health issues in simple, accessible language, she was the resident doctor on the popular TV show Good Morning with Mary Lambie.  

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Professor Bev Lawton ONZM

With 17 years as a GP, Bev (Ngāti Porou) is an academic at Victoria University. She has been recognised for her contributions to women's health, particularly advancing Māori health and cervical cancer prevention through equitable and innovative practices.

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Dr. Olivia Smart

OBGYN Dr Olivia is an advanced laparoscopic surgeon with a focus on women’s health, particularly endometriosis, vulvo-vaginal disorders, and colposcopy. Trained in the UK and NZ, she has introduced new techniques for treating painful sexual intercourse.

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Dr. Alex Lafaele

Dr. Alex is a Tend GP completing her fellowship with the RNZCGP with extensive experience focusing on improving health access for Māori and Pasifika communities. She also holds post-graduate qualifications in contraception and pregnancy care.

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Nurse Nicky Holder

Nicky is Head of Nursing at Tend. With nearly a decade of experience in community based nursing and a PGDip in Advanced Nursing Practice, she excels in compassionate care for children, families, and communities, enhancing their health and wellbeing.

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Dr. Sasha Nair

Endocrinologist at ERH Associates, Dr. Sasha has trained in Auckland and London. She specialises PCOS, PMS/PMDD,  premature ovarian insufficiency and variations in sexual characteristics (VSCs).

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Dr. Megan Ogilvie

Endocrinologist and Director of ERH Associates. Dr. Megan specialises in menopause, PCOS, athlete hormone health, PMS/PMDD, VSCs, and gender-affirming medicine. Trained in Auckland and London, she works with Fertility Associates and Auckland DHB.

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Dr. Amelia Ryan

Dr. Amelia is an Auckland-based gynaecologist and obstetrician specialising in endometriosis and pelvic pain, a difficult and debilitating condition. She studied in NZ and Australia and has advanced expertise in laparoscopy (keyhole surgery).

Tracy Minnoch-Nuku

Tracy has 30+ years in fitness and when she hit menopause she started Sexy Ageing. She hosts its podcast, "My Menopause Memoir," and created the Sexy Ageing Fitness app.

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Dr. Linda Dear

Dr. Linda is a UK-trained, NZ-based specialist menopause doctor dedicated to spreading menopause awareness. She founded Menodoctor and led New Zealand's largest menopause survey, impacting over 4,000 women.

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Michelle Kasey

An award-winning Sex and Relationships Therapist with over 7 years of experience, who's supported 1,000's of clients worldwide to have healthier relationships and more satisfying sex lives. She's also a burlesque artist, champion pole dancer and writer.

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Lily Henderson

Lily is a registered dietitian with over 17 years' experience, specialising in health and culinary nutrition. She passionately provides evidence-based advice and advocates for lifestyle medicine via good diet and nutrition. She is the resident nutritionist at My Food Bag.

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Dr Jenny Kruger

Formerly a midwife, Dr. Jenny is a prominent, internationally recognised researcher and academic in the area of pelvic floor muscle function and dysfunction in women. Passionate about helping women overcome pelvic discomfort, she founded JunoFem, creating FemFit for pelvic floor disorders,

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Steph Polson

Steph, Director and Lead Nutrition Consultant at podcast up_statuss, is a registered nutritionist in Australia and NZ. With a BSc in Human Nutrition and Food Science, she has over 10 years of experience helping individuals lead healthier lifestyles.

Francesca Storey

Francesca has a background in neonatal nursing and is a health researcher working closely with iwi and health providers to address systems impacting women’s and babies’ health in Aotearoa.

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Dr Lee Mathias ONZM

Over the course of her career Lee has made significant contributions to New Zealand's healthcare, including founding Birthcare, NZ's first primary maternity facilities, and co-founding Labtests. She is a currently a Director at Tend Health.

Our Wāhine Toa

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Dame Valerie Adams

Champion Aotearoa shot putter, Dame Valerie, has triumphed in sports while managing chronic injuries. Her resilience and strength have inspired many. She is a proud ambassador of Tend.

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Sarah Gandy

Sarah is a renowned Kiwi radio host, now on MoreFM Drive show, who bravely shared her battle with breast cancer. Having completed treatment, she continues to inspire others with her journey and resilience.

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Suzanne Paul

Suzanne, a TV personality darling and entrepreneur, has openly discussed her struggles with mental health, including severe depression. Her candidness aims to raise awareness and inspire others facing similar challenges.

Petra Bagust

Petra is a renowned Kiwi broadcaster, MC and host of her podcast Grey Areas, where she empowers women through candid conversations, education, and awareness, promoting holistic well-being and positive change.

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Melissa Chan-Green

Melissa is a journalist with two decades experience in broadcasting, based in New Zealand and London. She has a keen professional interest in reporting women’s health stories but has a personal interest too as one of four sisters and with a daughter herself.

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Megan Alatini

Megan is a renowned New Zealand singer, actress, and television personality, best known for her role in the pop group TrueBliss and as a judge on "New Zealand Idol."

Amanda Gillies

Amanda is an award-winning broadcast journalist and presenter. In her role as National Correspondent for TV3 Newshub, she focused on health issues, especially those affecting women. She's been open about her own experiences with endometriosis and perimenopause.

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Kimberley Crossman

Shortland Street darling Kimberley is an actor, comedian and author. She has publicly disclosed her depression journey on the podcast “Pretty Depressed” and more recently experience a heartbreaking miscarriage.

Sarah Wallace

Sarah, mother of three and wife of broadcaster Sam Wallace, contracted pneumonia and sepsis from the flu at age 40. Now, she advocates fiercely for self-care and flu vaccination.

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Dr Michelle Dickinson

Dr Michelle is an engineer and co-founder of Nanogirl Labs, an organisation dedicated to empowering everyone, everywhere to have a positive relationship with STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths).

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Matilda Green

Matilda is a mama to three young children who gained fame from "The Bachelor". She has a parenting podcast called Untidy and with her co-host they tackle topics such as relationships, mental health and sex and body issues (including leaky boobs).

Stacey Morrison

Stacey is a broadcaster, renowned for her work on promoting Māori language and culture. Fluent in Te Reo Māori, she has co-authored several Māori language books and has a Radio NZ podcast called Healthy or Hoax.

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Theresa Gattung

Theresa (CNZM) is a pioneering and prominent businesswoman, leader, author and philanthropist. She is known for her advocacy of women in leadership and entrepreneurial ventures. She is a Director and Chair of the Tend board.

Antonia Prebble

Antonia is an actress, presenter and mama to two young sons. Her podcast, What Matters Most, with clinical psychologist Jacqui Maguire, seeks to educate and inspire people to live a full and meaningful life using everyday strategies.

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Simran Kaur

Simran trained as an optometrist and is the founder of "Girls that Invest", a podcast that has grown into an online phenomenon. Focusing on financial health she is helping millions of women learn how to invest and make money.

Jaimee Lupton

Jaimee is the co-founder of best-selling beauty and personal care brands. Following a heartbreaking fertility journey she founded Gingernut’s Angels, an organisation that provides fertility grants in New Zealand.

Sarah Page

Sarah is a Mum to an 11 year old boy, Max, and the Founder and Chief Executive of the Kindness Collective, a nationwide charity that supports over 100,000 people living in poverty every year.

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Carly Flynn

Carly is a New Zealand journalist and television presenter known for her engaging storytelling. Alongside a successful career in lifestyle media, Carly is a mum of 3 and an avid gardener!

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 Ellie Harwood

Ellie is a broadcaster, actress and content creator known for her work on ZM radio and Viva La Dirt League. She is AuDHD (Autistic/ADHD) and has openly discussed her experiences with anxiety, depression and neurodivergence.

Alexia Hilbertidou

Alexia is a passionate advocate for women's health and empowerment. As the founder of GirlBoss, she inspires young women to embrace technology, promoting mental well-being and resilience through education.

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Rachael Ferguson

Rachael was diagnosed with bowel cancer shortly after her wedding and has become a powerful voice for early detection and education, sharing her journey to inspire others. Rachael's story highlights the importance of health screenings.

Jordyn Kayes

Jordyn, host of Kiwi Birth Tales, shares powerful birth stories from Kiwi couples. She creates a supportive space, fostering open dialogue about childbirth, pregnancy, and postpartum experiences.

Rochelle Moffitt

Rochelle is a talented storyteller and brand champion for women. She has undergone a life-changing endometrial ablation procedure to help manage heavy periods, and embraces fitness, positivity, and living life to the fullest.

For health advice & support all year, follow @tendnz

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Our Experts

Our Wāhine Toa (Alt A)

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Dame Valerie Adams

Champion Aotearoa shot putter, Dame Valerie, has triumphed in sports while managing chronic injuries. Her resilience and strength have inspired many. She is a proud ambassador of Tend.

A women in white is smiling

Sarah Gandy

Sarah is a renowned Kiwi radio host, now on MoreFM Drive show, who bravely shared her battle with breast cancer. She continues to inspire others with her journey and resilience.

A women in a pink floral dress is smiling

Suzanne Paul

Suzanne, a TV personality darling and entrepreneur, has openly discussed her struggles with mental health, including severe depression. Her candidness aims to raise awareness and inspire others facing similar challenges.

A woman in a red dress smiling

Melissa Chan-Green

Melissa is a journalist with two decades experience in broadcasting, based in New Zealand and London. She has a keen professional interest in reporting women’s health stories but has a personal interest too as one of four sisters and with a daughter herself.

A woman in a grey blazer is smiling

Simran Kaur

Champion Aotearoa shot putter, Dame Valerie, has triumphed in sports while managing chronic injuries. Her resilience and strength have inspired many. She is a proud ambassador of Tend.

A woman in a red dress smiling

Megan Alatini

Megan is a renowned New Zealand singer, actress, and television personality, best known for her role in the pop group TrueBliss and as a judge on "New Zealand Idol."

A woman in a black shirt with a red t-shirt on is smiling

Dr Michelle Dickinson

Dr Michelle is an engineer and co-founder of Nanogirl Labs, an organisation dedicated to empowering everyone, everywhere to have a positive relationship with STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths).

A woman in a green textured dress is smiling

Dame Theresa Gattung

Dame Theresa (CNZM) is a pioneering and prominent businesswoman, leader, author and philanthropist. She is known for her advocacy of women in leadership and entrepreneurial ventures. She is a Director and Chair of the Tend board.

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Amanda Gillies

Amanda is a respected journalist and TV presenter. At 39 she was told she was entering perimenopause. She has talked openly about her menopause journey and continues her mission to spread awareness.

A woman in a yellow shirt is smiling

Ellie Harwood

Ellie is a broadcaster and actress, known for her work on ZM radio and Viva La Dirt League. She has openly discussed her experience with depression, raising awareness for mental health

A women in a white shirt is smiling

Matilda Green

Matilda is a mama to three young children who gained fame from "The Bachelor". She has a parenting podcast called Untidy and with her co-host they tackle topics such as relationships, mental health and sex and body issues (including leaky boobs).

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Sarah Page

Sarah is an inspirational woman and the founder of the Kindness Collective. She works tirelessly to provide resources and support to whānau in need, promoting a culture of giving and community care across Aotearoa.

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Jordyn Gregory

Jordyn, host of Kiwi Birth Tales, shares powerful birth stories from Kiwi couples. She creates a supportive space, fostering open dialogue about childbirth, pregnancy, and postpartum experiences.

Our Wāhine Toa