New Zealand Psychologists Board

Ms Ann Connell was appointed to the Board on 14 July 2011, and was elected Chairperson in February 2013. She is registered in the Clinical Psychologist scope of practice and is Professional Leader for Psychology for the Capital and Coast District Health Board and a member of the NZ District Health Board Psychology Leadership Council. She completed her clinical psychology training at the University of Otago and began work as a new graduate at the Hawkes Bay Area Health Board before taking up a position at Porirua Hospital in 1987. Since then she has worked in clinical and management roles in a number of adult mental health settings and currently works in the Regional Personality Disorder Service. Ann has held executive positions in the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists and in this capacity has been a member and convenor of the Allied Health Professional Association Forum.

Dr Monique Faleafa was appointed to the Board in September 2009 and was elected Deputy Chairperson in February 2011. She is registered in the Clinical Psychologist scope of practice and currently leads Le Va, a national programme specialising in Pacific health workforce development. She has over 13 years experience working with Pacific communities in District Health Board and non-government organisations, at clinical, management and governance levels. She was also a founding Executive Member of Pasifikology (New Zealand’s Pacific Psychologists network).

Mrs Beverley Burns has been a Board member since July 2008. She is registered in the Psychologist scope of practice and has 28 years of experience in mental health and education settings. She currently operates a private consultancy specialising in training and development and professional supervision. She also has extensive governance experience in the independent school and not for profit areas.

Mrs Beverley Clark was appointed as a lay member of the Board in September 2009. She has experience as a consumer representative on the Rural Hospital Doctor's Medicine Council and as a Chairperson and Member of the Royal College of General Practitioner's Consumer Liaison Committee. She also served eight years as a Board member for Central Otago Health Services Limited (Chairperson for five years) and has 10 years experience on Regional and National Ethics Committees. Her past governance experience includes a Director role on the Health Funding Authority for New Zealand (HFA) and the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA). She works as a Registered Marriage and Civil Union Celebrant.

Ms Monica Davis was appointed as a laymember of the Board on 8 November 2012. She has a BA/LLB from the University of Auckland and has 30 years experience in law, employment relations, and human resources in a variety of industries in Australia and New Zealand.  She has extensive experience as an executive in retailing and infrastructure. Monica also has 15 years superannuation trustee experience in Australia and New Zealand. Monica is Deputy President of Birthright Christchurch and a trustee of a Waikawa Tautuku land trust. (Photo to follow)

Mr Jhanitra Gavala was appointed to the Board on 29 February 2012. He is a registered Psychologist and works as a Lecturer at Massey University's School of Psychology in Auckland. He teaches Bicultural Perspectives in Psychology and Experimental Social Psychology. Jhan has 13 years’ experience working in the mental health sector as a practitioner and academic. He also engages in consultant supervision work for the Department of Corrections Rehabilitation and Reintegration Services. Jhan is a member of the Massey University Ethics Committee, Te Rau Puawai Board, and National Standing Committee on Bicultural Issues. Jhan is a past executive member of the New Zealand Psychological Society.

Dr Ian Miller was appointed to the Psychologists Board in September 2009.  He was reappointed for a further three years in October 2012.  He is registered in the Psychologist scope of practice. His specialist areas are behavioural risk mitigation, behavioural applications and regulation, psycho-trauma and stress, and forensic issues.  He also is an Executive Member of the Independent Forensic Practitioners Institute.