This year marks an incredible milestone for Care on Call Chief Operating Officer Christine, who is celebrating 10 years with the organisation.
Over the past decade, Christine has grown alongside Care on Call; from joining the organisation in 2016, to becoming General Manager, and now stepping into the role of Chief Operating Officer across both Care on Call and Florence Nightingale Agency. Her journey reflects not only the growth of the organisation itself, but also her commitment to people, purpose, and high-quality care.
Finding Purpose in the Sector
Christine’s career in Health and Disability Support began unexpectedly when she accepted an Operations Manager role overseeing residential homes for young people with disabilities in New Plymouth.
Although it was her first role within the sector, she quickly discovered a passion for making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
After relocating to the Hutt Valley with her family in 2016, Christine joined Care on Call, a decision that would shape the next decade of her career.
Learning, Growing, and Leading
Looking back on her early days at Care on Call, Christine remembers being “thrown in the deep end” when her manager unexpectedly required extended leave shortly after she joined.
At the time, the organisation was still heavily paper-based, and much of her learning came through navigating challenges firsthand and developing a deep understanding of the organisation’s processes and people.
“It was a challenging period,” she reflects. “But ultimately, it strengthened my resilience and perseverance.”
Christine credits the support she received from leadership and colleagues during those early years as a key reason she stayed and grew with the organisation.
Over time, her role evolved from hands-on problem solving to leading teams, improving systems, and empowering others to succeed.
“One of the biggest lessons for me was realising that leadership isn’t about what you can personally solve — it’s about what you can enable others to achieve.”
She believes leadership is not about being in charge, but about taking responsibility for those in your care; an approach grounded in empathy, consistency, and genuine support for people.
A Decade of Impact
Throughout her 10 years with Care on Call, Christine has contributed to several significant milestones, including growing Ministry of Health services from only a handful of clients into a major area of support, expanding Flexible Supports across the North Island, supporting successful ACC tender outcomes, helping guide the integration of Florence Nightingale Agency, and most recently, spearheading and winning the tender for a DSS residential contract.
But for Christine, the most meaningful moments have always been the human ones.
She recalls one of her very first clients at Care on Call: a person recovering from a stroke who required a 24/7 care package to return home from hospital.
The service was established within 48 hours, and Care on Call continued supporting the client until her passing in 2023.
“Knowing that we were able to support her with dignity, consistency, and quality care over many years has been the most meaningful experience of my career.”
A People-First Culture
When asked what has kept her at Care on Call for 10 years, Christine’s answer is simple: the people.
“It’s the people — both our kiritaki and our staff — that make Care on Call special.”
She speaks proudly of the support workers who represent the organisation in communities every day and believes Care on Call’s culture is what continues to set it apart.
Christine says seeing leaders remain hands-on and connected to both staff and kiritaki has reinforced the organisation’s values throughout its growth.
“Care on Call has always been intentional about not becoming a large, impersonal corporation that loses sight of why we do what we do.”
Looking Ahead as COO
As Christine steps into her new role as COO, her focus is on strengthening integration across Care on Call and Florence Nightingale Agency, supporting teams through change, and continuing to build strong operational foundations for the future.
Looking ahead, her vision is to create a stronger, more connected organisation grounded in shared values, exceptional care, and strong leadership.
As we celebrate Christine’s 10-year milestone, we also celebrate the impact she has had on Care on Call, the people she has supported along the way, and the future she is helping shape for both organisations.
Congratulations Christine, and thank you for 10 years of dedication, leadership, and care; with many more milestones and successes still to come!
