Jeff Sanders

Advisory Board Member

Chief Executive,
Relationship Services Whakawhanaungatanga

Jeff has spent his working life in the government and not for profit sectors.

His early working life was spent in the Departments for Forestry, Health and Education. During this time he worked on a number of projects including the Private School Integration Project and as a Parliamentary Private Secretary.

Jeff is a Presbyter of the Methodist Church of New Zealand Te Hahi Weteriana O Aotearoa and supports the work of the Church in a number of capacities.

He has worked for IHC New Zealand Inc. as a General Manager of operations and also service development and training. He is committed to ensuring that people with an intellectual disability are supported to be full and contributing members of society.

Jeff was Director of Wesley Community Action (Methodist Social Services), an agency providing services to older people, youth at risk and those who are live on the margins of the community.

As Chief Executive of Relationship Services, Jeff is committed to their vision of 'healthy relationships, healthy communities'.

He has served on a number of Boards including the NZ Federation of Voluntary Welfare Agencies, Community Support Services Industry Training Organisation, and the NZ Council of Christian Social Services.

Currently a member of the Ministry of Social 22 May, 2008, Jeff is encouraged by the recognition being given to finding ways to understand and support the family in society, however the family unit might be contrived.

Jeff is married to Rosemary Rishworth and they have 4 adult and teenage children.