FOUNDER:  Sir Graham Liggins:   24 June 1926 - 24 August 2010

CBE, KB, MBChB (Otago), PhD, FRCS(Edin.), FRACS, FRCOG, FRNZCOG, FRS,  FRSNZ, Professor Emeritus.

Sir Graham Liggins is regarded as one of New Zealand’s most internationally famous medical scientists.  In the Medical School’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology since 1960, he pioneered the treatment of babies while still in the womb.

Sir Graham is best known for his research into the mechanisms which initiate labour.  He solved the perplexing question as to how the time of birth was determined.  Sir Graham showed that it was the fetus – and not the mother as generally believed – who controlled birth. 

Sadly Sir Graham died on August 24 2010, but he will be remembered for his research into preventing lung disease in premature babies.  Millions of preterm babies around the world are alive today as a direct result of his work.  Sir Graham founded Nurture in 1992; the Trustees are proud of this association and will continue to seek answers to reproductive problems through clinical and laboratory-based research. 

To read Sir Graham Liggins' Obituary in The Economist click here

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Cindy Farquhar

MNZM, MBChB, MD, DipObst, MRCOG, FRANZCOG, CREI, MPH

Cindy is the Postgraduate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Auckland.  Her research interests include infertility, menstrual disorders, and the long term effects of hysterectomy.  Cindy is the co-ordinating editor of the Cochrane Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group, which was established in 1996.  She is also the Chairman of the Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee and Deputy Chairman of the New Zealand Guidelines Group.

Cindy’s clinical work takes place at Fertility Plus, the reproductive medicine unit of National Women’s Hospital.  With clinical interests in polycystic ovarian syndrome, pelvic pain, endometriosis and managing abnormal uterine bleeding, Cindy conducts three specialist clinics and has a weekly operating list.

David Becroft

ONZM, MD, FRCPA, FRACP, FRC Path, (hon) FRANZCOG

David Becroft is an Aucklander who from 1959 to 1992 was Pathologist-in-Charge of the clinical laboratories of the Princes Mary Hospital for Children (now Starship) and perinatal pathologist at the National Womens Hospital. His interests and publications cover a wide range of topics in child health and perinatology.

Since retirement David has served terms as Chairman of the Scientific Committee of the Cancer Society of New Zealand and as President of the International Paediatric Pathology Association. He has maintained close associations with the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the University of Auckland and with research projects in perinatal and infant health and pathology of the placenta. In 2001 he was appointed ONZM for services to medicine.

Andrew Shelling

BPhEd, BSc (Hons), PhD

Associate Professor Andrew Shelling is head of the Medical Genetics Research group, which looks at the molecular changes that occur during the development of genetic disorders, including infertility and reproductive cancers.  Understanding the changes that occur during the development of disease will help to make early detection possible, and improve treatments available.

Dr Shelling completed his PhD in 1992 at the University of Otago.  He received the prestigious Nuffield Medical Fellowship in 1992, and studied the genetics of ovarian cancer for three years at the Institute of Molecular Medicine, Oxford.  Dr Shelling returned to New Zealand in 1995 to take up his current post as Deputy Head of Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at The University of Auckland.

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Mariette van Ryn

BA LLB

An internationally recognised leading Banking and Finance lawyer, Mariette van Ryn has recently joined Westpac New Zealand as  General Manager Regulatory Affairs and General Counsel New Zealand.  She was formerly head of Simpson Grierson's Banking and Finance Department and a member of Simpson Grierson's Board.  Mariette has been qualified for 25 years and has specialised in banking and finance law since late 1986.  Her expertise encompassed a banking and finance advisory role, together with an extensive banking and finance litigation practice.  Mariette has appeared in numerous leading banking and finance cases and regularly appears in the High Court and Court of Appeal.

She is named as a leading lawyer in Asia Pacific Legal 500 and a recommended lawyer in Global Counsel 3000.  Among her numerous external appointments Mariette is Vice President of the Australia/New Zealand Banking & Financial Law Services Law Association; Member of the Institute of Directors and Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australia.

Wendy Hadden

MB, ChB, FRANZCR

Wendy is a partner at Auckland Radiology Group and a consultant radiologist at National Women's Hospital.  She is interested in all aspects of "women's radiology" including obstetrics, gynaecology and mammography.  She graduated from Otago University, trained in radiology in Auckland and has worked in the United States.

Baden Carter

BCom, NZSE Dip

Baden has worked in financial markets for the past 25 years and is currently employed with Craigs Investment Partners as an Investment Advisor since 2006.  Previously Baden was Treasurer for Pacific Retail Finance, Vice President Fixed Income and Credit Sales for NAB Capital Markets in New York, and a Treasury Dealer – Fixed Income and Foreign Exchange.

Baden is a member of or accredited with the following organisations:  NZX Advisor; Current Sharebrokers Licence;  INFINZ – Certified Treasury Professional;  Member National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) USA (2002-2006)

Polly Hudson

Polly Hudson is a former journalist with extensive experience in Television and Newspapers. She was a 60 Minutes reporter, TVNZ’s Australian Correspondent for several years  and has worked extensively on TV One’s Network News. Polly was also a journalist on the Dominion Newspaper in Wellington and various London publications. Laterally she has been involved with various charities with particular focus on fundraising. She is the mother of three boys with a special interest in perinatal research.