Bay of Plenty Family Mediators

Meet our Family Mediators in the Bay of Plenty region.

Sharon Stewart

Sharon Stewart

Family Mediator
Sharon has been mediating since 1998 and mediating family disputes regarding care of children, since 2010. Sharon works with parties to achieve positive lasting outcomes for parents and children. Sharon is an accredited panel member with LEADR and an accredited assessor of mediators for LEADR
Cherie Whitwell

Cherie Whitwell

Family Mediator
Cherie is a qualified Nurse, Counsellor and Mediator. Her counseling expertise is in relationships, families, and family court, including facilitation of Parenting Through Separation and relationship courses. She is now an FDR Provider, assisting parents to find the best care arrangements for their children. She is a member of NZAC, and LEADR.
Angela Kershaw

Angela Kershaw

Family Mediator
Angela is a member of the New Zealand Law Society Panel of Mediators (Family Specialist). Angela has been involved in Family Law for over 10 years. Angela is currently a Director of Hamertons Lawyers Limited, based in Whakatane. When not mediating Angela represents parties and children in the Family Court.
Stephen Clews

Stephen Clews

Family Mediator
Stephen commenced practice as a lawyer in 1981 and has worked extensively in the Family Court. He has been receiving appointments from the Court as a lawyer for children for over 30 years. Stephen trained as a mediator through LEADR and is a family specialist on the New Zealand Law Society panel of mediators.
Kathryn Margaret Jackson (Kathy)

Kathryn Margaret Jackson (Kathy)

Family Mediator
Kathy has 25 years' experience as a Family Court Lawyer. Initially practicing in England before emigrating 22 years ago. She is an approved Lawyer for Child, having held this role for 17 years. Kathy also acts for youths aged 14-17 as a Youth Advocate and has extensive involvementwith MVCOT Oranga Tamariki. Kathy has a passion for resolving matters without judicial intervention whenever possible. Family Dispute Resolution is an ideal way to do this. Kathy is a qualified Mediator with 5 years' experience. She has convened Mediations to resolve a range of matters including domestic violence and child protection.
Simon Travers

Simon Travers

Family Mediator
Simon has an LLB (hons) from Sheffield University and was admitted to the bar in New Zealand in 2000. He has been a barrister sole since 2008, specializing in Family Law. Simon has been a District Inspector (Mental Health) since 2011 and is an experienced Family Court mediator. Originally from England, Simon has lived in Rotorua since 1994.
Donna Copeland

Donna Copeland

Family Mediator
Donna is of Ngati Pikiao and European decent, she is married to William and they have a blended family consisting of 9 adult children and 23 grandchildren. Donna has considerable Family Court experience obtained during her 11 years with Relationship Aotearoa and progressing through to the role of Regional Clinical Leader covering Rotorua, Waikato and Hauraki, she comes to us after 4 years as the Eastern Bay of Plenty Children’s Team Director. Donna supports her Iwi as a Board member for Te Runanga o Ngati Pikiao and a past chair and delivered of Tikanga Programs for the Department of Corrections, she is a current member of Corrections Maori Advisory Group. Donna holds a BA Counselling, Post Graduate qualification in Family Systems and Theories and Whanau Hapu and Iwi certification from Te Korowai Aroha o Aotearoa. Donna is excited to continue to support families to achieve sustainable strategies to support their families.