Our Board
Get to know the dedicated and passionate board members behind Oxytocin Trust
Our Board
Get to know the dedicated and passionate board members behind Oxytocin Trust (formerly Hutt Maternity Action Trust). We come from all walks of life and are united in our passion to make a difference and lasting change in the maternity journey that women in the Hutt Valley experience. Read on to learn more about who we are and what we do.
Megan Telfar Yates
Co-Chair
Ko Taranaki te maunga, Ko Mimitangiatua te awa, Ko Ngāti Mutunga te iwi, Ko Megan Telfar tōku ingoa. I live in beautiful Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai with my husband Matt and our three tamariki. Before children (many moons ago now!), I worked as a secretary in an IP law firm. Since becoming a māmā, I am grateful to found many ways to be active in my local community including becoming a breastfeeding peer supporter and many years at my local playcentre and on my local school Board. My own maternity journeys were varied, highlighting for me the gaps in our maternity systems, the value that needs to be placed on our midwives and that access to the right support during the perinatal period can make such a positive difference in all areas of wellbeing for māmā, pēpi and whānau. My passion grew from here, with a particular interest in breastfeeding and birth trauma, to find meaningful ways to support our local birthing community.
Meg Waghorn
Co-Chair
Kia ora, ko Meg Waghorn tāku ingoa. I live in the Hutt Valley with my husband and two sons although am originally from the South Island. I have been involved with the Oxytocin Trust since first meeting the founding trustees in 2019. My own pregnancies and births in the Hutt Valley, along with my gratitude and respect for the midwives who cared for me, give me the motivation to try and improve the birthing experiences of Hutt whānau. In my working life I am the Deputy Principal of a Lower Hutt primary school and love the deep connection this gives me to my community.
Murphy Peoples
Board Member – Secretary
Tēnā koe, ko Murphy Peoples tōku ingoa.
I have lived in Huetepara | Lyall Bay with my partner and two teens for four years, however I grew up on the Lands of the Ngunnawal People in Galambry | Canberra, Australia, and birthed my babies in Naarm | Melbourne on the Lands of the Wurundjeri People.
Although my mahi is in the museum sector, since having my first child in 2010 I became a passionate supporter of those in the early stages of their parenting journey when I saw how little education, information, and support was available via formal systems. This led to my volunteering for the Australian Breastfeeding Association for many years as a Breastfeeding Counsellor, volunteering on their 24hr helpline, and running local breastfeeding and parenting support groups.
I joined the Oxytocin Trust in 2025 as a way to continue my support of the birthing community in my new home as I know how crucial and underserved this community is.
Julia Fitzgerald
Board Member
Kia Ora, I live in Lower Hutt with my partner, Chris, and our energetic two year old daughter. I have always been passionate about health and well-being which is reflected in my career as a mental health occupational therapist. After having my daughter at Hutt Hospital in 2021, I became more interested in supporting other women in their maternity journeys and ensuring they have timely access to care that best meets their needs. I am particularly interested in how we can best support women who experience complications with pregnancies, as well as those families who have babies in SCBU. It has been a privilege to join and be part of the work the Oxytocin Trust does and I look forward to our continued work to improve maternity services in Te Awa Kairangi/ Hutt Valley.
Jacqui Paine
Board Member
Kia ora, I have been a midwife for 28 years, and worked in Aotearoa for 18 of those in various roles, and more recently as midwifery manager at Te Awakairangi Birthing Centre before it sadly closed it doors. During this time I had the privilege of working closely with the Hutt maternity community and welcome the opportunity to contribute to improving services for all involved. I am muma to 3 lovely adults and Nana to two beautiful little ones – one of which I recently ‘caught’ when she was born at my home in Petone.
Vida Rye
Board Member
Kia ora. I’ve lived in the Hutt since 2007 having moved with my husband, Graham, to Wellington from the UK in 2002. Both our daughters, Zoe and Phoebe, were born here at home with the support of wonderful midwives. I have worked and volunteered in the birthing world for over 20 years. In my work as a Calmbirth Educator I have learned how joy can be brought back to pregnancy, labour, birthing and early parenthood. I have also seen and experienced the limitations of the current maternity system, so I am passionate about creating a way of working together to see those who are pregnant, birthing or becoming new parents in the Hutt thriving!
If you have a passion for supporting your local community, have good organisational skills, and governance experience would be an asset, we’d love to hear from people who would like to be a Trustee. Please complete this form to enquire about coming on board!
Founding trustees, Chris Harrington, Karen Daniells, Lindsey Smith, Meg Waghorn, Megan Telfar, Orapai Porter-Samuels and Vida Rye
With our gratitude to Chris, Karen, Lindsey and Orapai for their mahi to help our Trust in its founding years.