About Us
The Nest Collective is a registered charity that works alongside social workers and other community partners to provide free packs of baby essentials for whānau in need.
Our vision is that all New Zealand babies are given a great start in life to enable them to flourish.
What We Do
We give packs of new, pre-loved, handcrafted and repurposed essentials including clothing, toys, nappies, bedding, books and more.
Our items are sourced through donations (both physical and financial) and provided to families via social workers, kaiāwhina, midwives, nurses and other local community partners.
“You have no idea what a wonderful resource you are in enabling us to meet the material needs of our clients. If these needs are met it opens the doors to address the real issues behind these needs.” – Social worker
Why do we do it?
Every baby in Aotearoa should come into the world with the basic necessities and parents, families and whānau should feel supported. One in nine children live in households reporting material hardship, which means many families face impossible financial decisions, such as choosing between paying the power bill or buying warm clothing for their children.
How parents are doing is central to babies’ wellbeing and early development. Not having enough resources to support a baby’s wellbeing, such as nappies and warm clothes, creates stress, as evidenced through higher rates of postpartum depression among low-income mothers, that disrupts parents’ ability to connect and interact with their babies in ways that go on to affect their children’s development and wellbeing. The evidence is clear: what happens in the first years of life impacts children’s life-long trajectories. Helping families is the right thing to do and research shows that early investment in children pays off in the long term for families and society.
Our Values
Board
Wendy Thompson
Chairperson
Wendy has more than a decade of experience in the charity and not-for-profit sector - most recently as the General Manager of Bellyful NZ. A trained pharmacist (now not practising), Wendy has worked in hospitals in Aotearoa and the UK and has also held a number of volunteer roles within charitable organisations.
Being a mother of three adult children, including premature twins, Wendy has first-hand knowledge of the significance of supporting whānau. Together with her strong leadership experience, Wendy brings a passion to provide practical help to families in need.
Read bioBeing a mother of three adult children, including premature twins, Wendy has first-hand knowledge of the significance of supporting whānau. Together with her strong leadership experience, Wendy brings a passion to provide practical help to families in need.
Natalia Karacaoglu
Trustee
Natalia has a background in international development and is passionate about fighting for equality in our society. She is also on the board of Samos Volunteers, helping refugees on the island of Samos, Greece where she worked for 18 months before returning to New Zealand.
A mum to a 20 month old firecracker, Maggie; Natalia spends her time looking after Maggie and her friend Harry. Working with the Nest Collective is a dream come true for Natalia as it helps New Zealand families while also creating a fantastic community amongst volunteers, crafters and social workers too.
Read bioA mum to a 20 month old firecracker, Maggie; Natalia spends her time looking after Maggie and her friend Harry. Working with the Nest Collective is a dream come true for Natalia as it helps New Zealand families while also creating a fantastic community amongst volunteers, crafters and social workers too.
Libby Priscott
Trustee
Libby is a trustee of The Nest Collective and also manages the Auckland branch. Since leaving the paid workforce, she has spent her time raising her two children and volunteering for Plunket and Little Sprouts. During her time as a branch manager at Little Sprouts, Libby saw first-hand the significant difference that thoughtfully compiled baby boxes can make to families in need.
Her prior background as a business analyst motivated her to ensure that upon the establishment of The Nest Collective, it was imbued with appropriate governance, systems and procedures that will underpin an enduring and sustainable future for the new organisation.
Libby also loves the human connections developed within the organisation – with social workers, other volunteers, trustees, donors, and makers.
Read bioHer prior background as a business analyst motivated her to ensure that upon the establishment of The Nest Collective, it was imbued with appropriate governance, systems and procedures that will underpin an enduring and sustainable future for the new organisation.
Libby also loves the human connections developed within the organisation – with social workers, other volunteers, trustees, donors, and makers.
Glen Williams
Treasurer
As treasurer, Glen brings considerable accounting experience to his role with The Nest Collective. Glen is a fully qualified CA member of the NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants and Glen works with the Anglican Missions Board, the Council for International Development and other clients. Glen has worked with young people for over 25 years through his work with the church and is passionate helping young people and families of New Zealand.
Read bioNicolette Luke
Trustee
Nicolette is a financial services lawyer with experience across both the private and public sectors. She is passionate about facilitating positive change for families across New Zealand and through working with The Nest Collective, is keen to ensure that all babies have access to equal opportunities from birth.
Nicolette is on the Women in Law Committee and is also a volunteer lawyer with Mother’s Project which provides support for mothers in prisons, enabling them to maintain meaningful connections with their children.
Read bioNicolette is on the Women in Law Committee and is also a volunteer lawyer with Mother’s Project which provides support for mothers in prisons, enabling them to maintain meaningful connections with their children.
Kate Prickett
Trustee
Dr. Kate Prickett is Director of the Roy McKenzie Centre for the Study of Families and Children at Victoria University of Wellington. As a researcher, her work focuses on how family contexts, such as poverty experiences and parenting behaviours, shape child development, and how understanding these links can inform government policy and programmes aimed at supporting families.
Read bioTony Spicer
Trustee
Tony has a comprehensive background working in social services. He has 40 years experience working with families, child protection and mediation in both Government and non-Government agencies. Tony is a father and grandfather with a strong commitment to social justice. He is passionate about ensuring that families that are marginalised are equipped and supported and not further disadvantaged by systems.
Read bioManagers
Natalia Karacaoglu
National Manager
Natalia has a background in international development and is passionate about fighting for equality in our society. She is also on the board of Samos Volunteers, helping refugees on the island of Samos, Greece where she worked for 18 months before returning to New Zealand.
A mum to a 20 month old firecracker, Maggie; Natalia spends her time looking after Maggie and her friend Harry. Working with the Nest Collective is a dream come true for Natalia as it helps New Zealand families while also creating a fantastic community amongst volunteers, crafters and social workers too.
Read bioA mum to a 20 month old firecracker, Maggie; Natalia spends her time looking after Maggie and her friend Harry. Working with the Nest Collective is a dream come true for Natalia as it helps New Zealand families while also creating a fantastic community amongst volunteers, crafters and social workers too.
Amelia Crundwell
Marketing Manager
Amelia has a marketing and communications background in the private and not-for-profit sectors. She is passionate about making a meaningful difference to New Zealand families.
Her previous experience as marketing manager for Little Sprouts and her current study in antenatal education, has led her to seek opportunities that would see all babies given the best start in life. Amelia lives with her husband and two young children in Nelson.
Read bioHer previous experience as marketing manager for Little Sprouts and her current study in antenatal education, has led her to seek opportunities that would see all babies given the best start in life. Amelia lives with her husband and two young children in Nelson.
Libby Priscott
Auckland Branch Manager
Libby is a trustee of The Nest Collective and also manages the Auckland branch. Since leaving the paid workforce, she has spent her time raising her two children and volunteering for Plunket and Little Sprouts. During her time as a branch manager at Little Sprouts, Libby saw first-hand the significant difference that thoughtfully compiled baby boxes can make to families in need.
Libby also loves the human connections developed within the organisation – with social workers, other volunteers, trustees, donors, and makers.
Read bioLibby also loves the human connections developed within the organisation – with social workers, other volunteers, trustees, donors, and makers.
Lucy Benge
Gisborne Branch Manager
Lucy has been managing the Gisborne branch of The Nest Collective since December 2020. She has a background in International Community Development and is interested in better understanding inequity in New Zealand and addressing the barriers people face accessing basic needs. She loves working with an organisation that harnesses the amazing generosity of the community and the willingness of people to help each other through tough times.
Read bioGlenis McNab
Christchurch Branch Manager
Glenis has been involved in women's and children's organisations and charities for many years. She has also had a lifetime of crafting, especially sewing, knitting and quilting. These crafts are what drew Glenis to Little Sprouts 3 years ago and now, to continue on and support The Nest Collective in a more active role. Glenis is passionate in our support of being able to make a difference by helping our local vulnerable babies and their families.
Read bioRae Sarelius
Wellington Branch Manager
Rae is a co-manager of The Nest Collective Wellington. With a background in accounting, Rae has had a lifelong passion for spending time with babies and young children. From helping at kindergarten to working as a teacher aide along with many years volunteering as a Brownie Leader and with Mainly Music; Rae continued to help other families while raising her own two children. As a key member of the Wellington branch, Rae worked to establish the branch in 2021. With Rae’s own family now overseas, she spends her time knitting, sewing, sterilising nappies, bottles and breast pumps and many other tasks to support families to give their babies a great start in life.
Read bioHeather Harrop
Wellington Branch Manager
Heather, a Wellington branch co-manager, enjoyed volunteering and working with children for many years through her involvement with playcentre, primary school, within the scout movement and, then as a teacher aide in other primary schools. Heather was involved with Little Sprouts Charitable Trust and now with The Nest Collective since its opening in Wellington. Heather manages large baby items like cots, bassinets and prams - making sure they are suitable and safe for the families receiving them. She also enjoys making up the sets of books for each baby and in her free time, Heather likes to sew, knit and spend time with her grandchildren.
Read bioShirley Wilson
Wellington Branch Manager
Shirley’s love of children was realised as a primary teacher, a mother of three and now a nana of four grandchildren. When her own children were small Shirley was very involved in volunteering for Plunket, with some time as a president. Shirley was also on a School Board of Trustees and for a number of years worked full time teaching and later as a Ministry of Education advisor.
As a co-manager of The Nest Collective Wellington, Shirley coordinates the packing schedule for the pack requests and also trains and communicates with volunteers. Shirley also loves to knit for babies and recently learnt to crochet to be able to put peggy square blankets together for packs. Shirley can also be found washing and mending donations as well as collecting donations from drop-off points. Shirley says “how lucky I was to find this new volunteering journey.”
Read bioAs a co-manager of The Nest Collective Wellington, Shirley coordinates the packing schedule for the pack requests and also trains and communicates with volunteers. Shirley also loves to knit for babies and recently learnt to crochet to be able to put peggy square blankets together for packs. Shirley can also be found washing and mending donations as well as collecting donations from drop-off points. Shirley says “how lucky I was to find this new volunteering journey.”
Sue McFarlane
Kapiti Branch Manager
Sue, the co-manager of The Nest Collective Kāpiti, saw first-hand the impact of providing practical support to families while working with infants and young children. After more than 40 years working in health as an Occupational Therapist, Sue joined The Nest Collective Kāpiti as a volunteer, crafter and now a branch manager.
Now retired, Sue enjoys being able to help provide families with baby essentials - knowing that The Nest Collective community partners are providing advocacy, mentoring and support to these families. A keen crafter, Sue also loves to recycle clothing and upcycle other fabrics into beautiful baby items that will be treasured by a family in need.
Read bioNow retired, Sue enjoys being able to help provide families with baby essentials - knowing that The Nest Collective community partners are providing advocacy, mentoring and support to these families. A keen crafter, Sue also loves to recycle clothing and upcycle other fabrics into beautiful baby items that will be treasured by a family in need.
Laura Ramsay
Dunedin Branch Manager
Laura is a co-manager of The Nest Collective Dunedin. Through her work with other charities, she has seen the growing number of families in need throughout Aotearoa and she is passionate about helping as many children as she can to have the best start in life. With plenty of experience packing boxes for children, mainly for Christmas Shoebox appeals, she was drawn to The Nest Collective for its sense of community and the opportunity to help families all year round.
Read bioChelsea Hamilton
Dunedin Branch Manager
Chelsea, co-manager of The Nest Collective Dunedin, is passionate about supporting babies and whānau in Ōtepoti. Having worked on numerous charity fundraisers, including packing boxes for the recent Christmas Shoebox appeal, and currently managing a marketing & design studio, the Nest Collective offered the perfect chance to combine these skills to help local families. As a māmā, Chelsea was drawn to The Nest Collective as a way to support other local whānau and ensure babies in the rohe have the essential items they need to help them thrive in their early years.
Read bioAngela Marriott
Kapiti Branch Manager
Angela has had a lifelong passion for helping babies get the best possible start in life. After 13 years’ involvement in the early days of The Aotearoa Brainwave Trust, focusing on the importance of infant attachment, she saw an opportunity to also care for the physical needs of babies through involvement in The Nest Collective. She loves being part of a community that brings together the expertise of crafters, the generosity of donors and the enthusiasm of everyone involved.
Read bioNaomi van Vliet
Operations Manager
Naomi joined the national management team in 2022 and has been key in establishing processes and systems that ensure each branch is supported and runs seamlessly. Naomi is also a volunteer at The Nest Collective Auckland and has been involved in volunteering for a number of years whilst also working in costume props for film and television. Naomi brings equal measures of creativity and attention to detail to her work as Operations Manager as well as a passion for supporting young New Zealanders.
Read bio