We are a group of volunteers who have come together to realise a vision of a community supporting itself.
We believe that kindness fuels connection and greater connection between people in our community. Helping others will in turn lead to happier and more content people.
We all need to feel like we belong, that we matter: that we are cared about and that we have the ability to care for others.The Kāpiti Kindness Trust (KKT) is Kāpiti ring-fenced that hopes to help, facilitate and encourage the Kāpiti community to take greater care of both self and others.
Martin Sloman
Martin is an inspired local mental health advocate who received the Queen’s Service Medal for services to mental health also in 2019. He pitched a big idea about the Kapiti Kindness Project in a Business Breakfast talk and it gained immediate traction. Martin also runs the very important men’s mental health charity Whirlwind.
Ruth Surrey
Ruth, an experienced HR Manager, small business owner and with a background of banking and I.T. in London, has been living in NZ with her 2 children for nearly 20 years.
Lanita Caswill
Hi my name is Lanita and I am born and raised on the Kapiti coast where I have lived and worked for most of my life.
When I’m not working I love to spend time with family, riding my horse and hiking the great walks that New Zealand has to offer with the odd physical team challenge each year with friends and family that we like to set as a goal to keep us motivated!
Tarn Sheerin
Tarn Sheerin is a Kapiti local and mother of two, living in the middle of her Raumati Beach Community.
She has a background the Arts, Building / Architecture and Child Protection. One of Tarns favourite roles was teaching children First Aid in Wales, UK.
Tarn is very active in community support and networking roles with the likes of Kapiti Kindness Trust, Kapiti Helping Kapiti, and other charitable groups and organisations. “I love volunteering for the Kapiti Kindness Trust and getting to meet oodles of very cool, kind and appreciative people, just like you reading this”
Therese O’Sullivan
Until 2023 I worked in Real Estate for over 20 years. I was involved in fundraising and school events through my children’s school years I cooked for Bellyful from its inception ,while living in Wellington. When I moved to Waikanae I volunteered for Good Bitches Baking. This progressed to becoming Head Bitch for the Kapiti Chapter which has a fantastic group of bakers, baking and delivering to community organisations supporting people going though a hard time. A natural progression was joining Kapiti Kindness Trust. Volunteering with KKT gives me the opportunity to do something else practical in the community. I have enjoyed being able to use my love of cooking and baking by showing people how to cook wholesome meals on a limited budget.
Jeanene Van Krandenburg
Jeanine van Kradenburg is a registered nurse currently working in general practice. She has a special interest in mental health. Jeanine qualified in South Africa and was involved there in research in Anxiety Disorders and helped establish the Mental Health Information Centre.
Jeanine has been in New Zealand for 20 years.
Kitty Fitton
Kitty is the kind of person that can turn her hand to almost anything. From building websites (you’re welcome) to graphic design (cute Kindness logo anyone?) and it seems much in between. Finanacial adviser at Cover Yours Insurance by day, mother to four children and somehow she finds time to host ‘Ordinary Life’ on Coast Access Radio and dabble in stand-up comedy. Kitty is married to a person and hopes to one day find the bottom of the laundry-basket.
Isabelle Van Den Berg
Hi! My name is Isabelle, Im a student at te Herenga Waka Victoria University, studying Global Studies and Development Studies. I am a youth voice at Kāpiti Kindness and help out with Social Media. I am passionate about people projects and social needs.
Tom Collier
After having over 35 years in the Banking/Financial and IT sectors primarily in Account/Relationship Management roles it was time for a change. So if you’re going to make a change you may as well make it one heck of a big change!
Since 2016 I have been a contract tour guide, and meeting new people and talking about our common love of travel, experiencing new cultures and countries is something I absolutely love.
Jill Burns
Jill has lived on the Kapiti Coast since 1998 and was excited by the opportunity to bring New Zealand Home Loans to her community. She owns and operates the local NZHL office in Kapiti and enjoys teaching clients, taking pleasure from their successes as they reach their goals.
Jill is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and BNI professional and networking group and loves to travel and experience different cultures.