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About Us

Get to Know Us

​Fiordland Families Network (FFN) is a local, parent-led community group dedicated to supporting whānau across Fiordland. Since 2019, we’ve been bringing families together, advocating for better support, and creating opportunities for connection, learning, and fun.

 

Our mahi is guided by three goals: connecting, supporting, and advocating for families in our unique corner of the world. You can read more about the projects we run and support on our what we do page. 

Our Team

Fiordland Families Network (FFN) is a local, parent-led community group dedicated to supporting whānau across Fiordland. Established in 2019, our committee is made up of parents, many of us also work in maternity care, education, and community spaces, so we understand both the joys and challenges of family life here.

We advocate for families, run our own initiatives, and support other groups and individuals to bring their ideas to life. If you’d like to join the team, volunteer, or share a project idea, we’d love to hear from you.

Meet the Team

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Anna Thomas

Anna Thomas is Chair of FFN, she is also part of the Te Anau Plunket Group, and a breastfeeding peer supporter. She works as a land surveyor, lives on a local farm and has kids at Mararoa School and Fiordland College.  

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Jo Marsh

Jo Marsh is a born and bred Te Anau local, an ecologist, former DOC ranger and in 2025 a primary school teacher. She has a passion for environmental and sustainability education, and two kids at Te Anau School and Fiordland College

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Anna Star

Anna Star is one of Fiordland’s Community Wellbeing Coordinators, a breastfeeding peer supporter and part of the Te Anau Plunket Group. She has a background in community development, lives in Te Anau and has kids at Te Anau School and Fiordland College.

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Nicky Pealing

Nicky Pealing is a midwife working part time at a primary maternity unit, a breastfeeding peer supporter, hosts the local antenatal group and is a painter. She lives in Te Anau (her kids are grown up, but she is an awesome grandma).

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Liz Keizerwaard

Liz Keizerwaard is a local photographer, specialising in baby & child photography. She also works as a content coordinator/copy writer for an American website. She is originally from the Netherlands and has two daughters.

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Marleen Wilson

Marleen Wilson is a mum to two young boys, and the founder of Tech Aid, a small business offering IT support and training. She is passionate about helping families and small businesses feel more confident in an increasingly digital world.

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Danielle Clearwater

Danielle is a building apprentice and mum to 2 young girls. She hosts the parents coffee group on Wednesdays mornings and is passionate about people making connections within the community.

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Danielle Bosch

Danielle Bosch is new to Fiordland and a proud mum of three. She helps out in the community by gardening for locals and is the secretary and treasurer of Tumble Time Te Anau. Having grown up on a farm, Danielle is hardworking, down-to-earth, and passionate about supporting her community.

We are always open to new members, so please get in touch if you want to join.

If you have any questions or ideas or want to join the committee, please feel free to send us an email

Subscribe to our monthly newsletters here.
You can also follow us on Facebook to keep in touch.

© 2023 Fiordland Families Network - Southland, New Zealand

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