Dame Julie Chapman, of Auckland, DNZM for services to children and the community
Dame Julie Chapman has contributed services to the community for more than 20 years.Dame Julie founded the KidsCan Charitable Trust in 2005, which works to support the education of New Zealand children living in poverty by helping them meet their physical and nutritional needs. The Trust currently provides food, clothing, and health item support for more than 60,000 children per annum in 1,100 schools and early childhood centres. She is responsible for the leadership and co-ordination of the Trust’s activities, key partnerships, government relationships and strategy. In 2009, she helped arrange the first New Zealand Telethon in 15 years, raising $1.9 million which enabled the KidsCan Trust to almost double its support to schools. She has worked for other charities including Women’s Refuge, The First Tee, Victim Support and Westpac Rescue Helicopter. She founded Pet Refuge New Zealand in 2017, a charity which provides temporary shelter for family pets affected by domestic violence at its purpose-built shelter. Pet Refuge New Zealand partners with Women’s Refuge and the New Zealand Police caring for family pets until victims of violence find a safe place to live and can be reunited with their pets. Dame Julie has been a Trustee of Pet Refuge since establishment.