Honouring John Peters: Over a Decade of Dedicated Service to Nelson Tasman Hospice

In October we farewelled John Peters with a shared lunch as he stepped down as Chair of both the Nelson Tasman Hospice Regional OperatingTrust and the Nelson Tasman Hospice Investment Trust, after more than a decade of outstanding service. John first joined as a member of the Operational Trust in early 2013, bringing with him extensive leadership experience and a deep understanding of health care in our region.

Over the years, John has played an instrumental role in helping guide Hospice through a period of significant growth and change – from the development of the new facility on Suffolk Road to the expansion of community-based care and the continued strengthening of services that support people across the Nelson Tasman region.

We asked John to reflect on his time with Nelson Tasman Hospice (NTH) and to share some of his memories and insights from the past twelve years.

Why did you originally become a member of the Nelson Tasman Hospice Operational Trust?

I retired (DHB) at the end of December 2012. On the 5th of January 2013, the first normal day back at work after the Christmas break, I received a phone call from Elspeth Kennedy, then Chair of Nelson Tasman Hospice Trusts, which opened with “welcome, you’re a member of my trusts!”. It was neither a question nor an invitation – in typical Elspeth fashion it was an instruction! In fact, it was an easy instruction to comply with because, in my time as CEO at NMDHB, I had developed a huge regard for the Hospice and what it did, and so I happily became a member of the Operating Trust and the, then, Funding Trust.

What are you most proud of achieving as part of the trust?

I was part of the stunning team of people which, over the years, achieved some amazing things. These ranged from the services to the facilities. It wasn’t always easy but, most of all, I think we can be proud of continuing to provide the services that are so valued by the people in our region through both the good and the tough times.

What are the biggest changes you have seen over your time serving on the trust?

The scope and model of care have changed a lot, with increasing focus on care in people’s own homes, as well as in the Specialist Palliative Care Unit (SPCU). I think going from 30 people working for NTH in 2013 to over 100 in late 2025 is just one indicator of how much the organisation and the people have changed. And, as the hospice matured in size and capability, there had to be a lot of change in the processes, policies, procedures etc as we moved to a more professional organisation and administration. This was important for the fundraising, reputation and community awareness as well as for the services. Obviously the facility in Suffolk Road is a huge tangible change, but those vital elements of care and commitment have always been there, regardless of where they were provided from.

What are the most common misconceptions about hospice that you have come across when people find out you are a trustee?

Inevitably, it’s the surprise that so much of our service is provided in the community. Hospice as a building, and the SPCU, is what many people have identified us with. There is also the surprise that we need to raise so much of our costs from within the community, and that this is now well in excess of $4 million annually.

Are there any moments that stand out from your time with Hospice?

There are so many moments over the years but three really stand out for me. One, quite early on in my time, was hearing of an Inpatient Unit patient at Manuka Street who was very sad when he realised that he wouldn’t be going home and, consequently, wouldn’t see his beloved Ducati motor bike again. The “bed men” heard about this, went to his home, collected the bike, and wheeled it into his room at the hospice. It was there with him at the end. I knew then what made hospice special…

The second, also at Manuka Street, was related to an elderly couple from Golden Bay. Every time she was in the unit, he would stay at a motel in town and be with her all he could. Sadly, on the night she died, he had returned home to Golden Bay for the night, planning to come back early the following day. We heard later that it was because he was no longer able to afford the motel. This was a big factor in the development of Kowhai House at Suffolk Road as a place for whānau from out of town to stay without charge.

And the third is a lot more cheery – who can ever forget the image of Tyson, the massive Clydesdale, clip-clopping through the Daniel O’Brien wing and visiting the patients in their beds? 

John’s wisdom, experience, and steady guidance have helped shape Nelson Tasman Hospice into the organisation it is today. His time on the board has been marked by integrity, compassion, and a deep belief in the importance of accessible, high-quality palliative care for all in our community.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to John for his remarkable contribution, his leadership, and his unwavering support of Hospice’s mission. His impact will continue to be felt for many years to come.

Our Operational Trust
Jenny Black (Chair)
Sharon McGuire (Deputy Chair)
John Murray
John Charleton
Cathy O’Malley

Our Investment Trust
John Charleton (Chair)
John Ayling
John Murray