We are the association for Lactation Consultants in New Zealand
The New Zealand Lactation Consultants Association (NZLCA) is the professional association of the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) in New Zealand.
About NZLCA
Most NZLCA members are qualified Lactation Consultants who have passed a fully accredited examination set by the International Board of Lactation Consultants Examiners (IBLCE). The title ‘International Board Certified Lactation Consultant’ (IBCLC) can only be used by persons who are IBCLC Certified and provided that they submit to periodic re-certification procedures mandated by IBLCE.
Other NZLCA Members include: health professionals with an interest in lactation, health professional students, aspiring IBCLCs and retired IBCLCs.
Opportunities for education provided by NZLCA for members and interested health professionals include workshops, and conferences which cover many aspects of lactation, often provided by international presenters. These enable the Lactation Consultant to keep current with research and topical issues and help gain education points for re-certification.
Local groups meet informally to discuss relevant issues at intervals during the year.
Aims and objectives
The purpose for which the Association is established is to foster optimal maternal and child health by protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding and the use of human milk for infants, by:
-
Providing mutual support and education for New Zealand Lactation Consultants;
-
Providing a forum for discussion and regular communication between Lactation Consultants;
-
Making representations to relevant authorities on issues of concern to Lactation Consultants and to serve as an Advisory Body for such authorities;
-
Maintaining a Directory of Lactation Consultants who are Members and in private practice;
-
Liaising with other organisations within New Zealand who have objectives similar to the Association;
-
Promoting breastfeeding and breastmilk as the biological norm;
-
Encouraging New Zealand-based research in the field of breastfeeding and human lactation;
-
Supporting the WHO International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes and subsequent relevant World Health Assembly resolutions.
NZ Board Members
Anthea Brown, President
Kristina Maconaghie, Secretary
Bev Pownall, Treasurer
Cara Hafner, Communications & Projects
Jenny Lester, Past President
The role of the Board is to administer the national affairs and business of the association on behalf of the members. This is governed by the constitution of the association. Scroll down for more information about our Board Members.
Anthea Brown
President
I bring to my role on the NZLCA Board, more than 25 years of involvement in breastfeeding education and support. I am a Registered Nurse and have been an IBCLC since 2019. I am based in Taranaki and joined the Board as I felt it was important to continue to have representation from the provinces and also from those who work in the community. My initial role on joining the Board was Communications & Projects. I was elected to the role of President in 2021.
Kristina Maconaghie
Secretary
I’ve been an IBCLC since 2017. I live in Taupo and work for Lakes DHB as part of the Kia Wana Breastfeeding Service and am also Chair of the Research and Ethics Committee. Prior to having children, I was a lecturer in health care ethics and since then I have been active in my community supporting breastfeeding and early parenting - as a La Leche League Leader since 2007, and volunteering with Parents Centre and Playcentre. I joined the NZLCA Board hoping to help grow and strengthen our profession and work with others to reduce barriers to becoming an IBCLC in New Zealand.
Bev Pownall
Treasurer
I am a Registered Nurse, and Midwife and have been an IBCLC since 1997. I joined what was then the NZLCA Executive because it gave me an amazing opportunity to network with IBCLCs around our country and internationally as well, I have served in all the Office Holder positions over the years. I also serve as the Editor of NZLCA’s Staying ABREAST and convene the NZLCA annual conference. I have worked as a DHB BFHI Coordinator and am a BFHI Assessor. My previous employment was leading a team of IBCLCs and Breastfeeding Advocates in a busy tertiary hospital. I currently work as a midwife providing mostly postnatal care, including breastfeeding support in a small birthing unit. This gives me time to follow my passion of providing ongoing educational opportunity for IBCLCs, at the same time as helping whānau to meet their breastfeeding goals.
Cara Hafner
Communications & Projects
I am originally from Oregon in the USA and I have a background in maternal-child nursing as a postnatal nurse, public health nurse and lactation consultant. I have been an IBCLC since 2006. I worked at Christchurch Women’s Hospital from 2009-2012. Most recently, I worked for a BFHI accredited hospital in the USA as a supervisor of lactation services and as an inpatient and outpatient Lactation Consultant. I am very happy to be back in Aotearoa New Zealand working as the Baby Friendly Advisor at NZBA. I am also happy to be representing the NZLCA as a Board member in the Communications and Projects role. I enjoy social media and see it as a great way to communicate education opportunities and evidenced-based breastfeeding information to our members. It is also an opportunity to link the NZLCA to the many other national and international organizations that are doing the important work of supporting whānau in their breastfeeding journeys.