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Welcome | Nau mai haere mai!

Welcome to Reflect Conference 2025!

CMFnz and NCFNZ have teamed up to present Alpha and Omega: Matters of Life and Death

We are delighted to announce that our keynote speaker for 2025 is Bioethicist and Palliative Care Physician

Professor Megan Best

ONE-DAY EVENT Auckland - 17th May, Manukau City Baptist Church

ONE-DAY EVENT Dunedin - 24th May, Dunedin City Baptist Church

On this page:

• Keynote Speaker
• Plenary Speakers & Hosts
• Ticket pricing and Registration
• Schedules
• Pre-conference event - Auckland
• Donate
• Accommodation
• Financial assistance
• Mission Booth Application
• Continuing Professional Development
• Promote Reflect 2025

Keynote

Professor Megan Best - Bioethicist and Palliative Care Physician

Professor Megan Best has over 30 years of experience in palliative care and medical ethics teaching, research and practice. She has taught medical ethics at tertiary level since 2001 and is currently a Professor of Bioethics at the Institute for Ethics and Society at The University of Notre Dame Australia. She is internationally known for her work in Christian bioethics. Her research has focussed on bioethics at the beginning and end of life, and in the areas of genomics and palliative care. She has also researched extensively in the areas of spirituality in healthcare, whole person care and psycho-oncology. She is the author of ‘Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: Ethics and the Beginning of Human Life’ (2012) and ‘A Life Already Started’ (2013). Throughout her career she has engaged with evidence-based health policy development, making important contributions to palliative care strategy and health legislation.

Keynote Sessions Convenor

Dr Amanda Landers

We’re thrilled to introduce Dr Amanda Landers, a key leader on the Reflect Conference 2025 planning team and host of this year’s Academic Speaking Tour, proudly supported by the Margaret Black Fellowship.

Amanda is the convenor of this year’s keynote sessions, working alongside Professor Megan Best to bring an Aotearoa perspective to the theme Alpha and Omega: Matters of Life and Death.

As a Palliative Care physician, Amanda has served in both large urban centres and remote communities across Australia and New Zealand. She currently serves as the Acting Medical Director of Hospice Southland, is a Senior Clinical Lecturer at Otago Medical School (Christchurch), and Head of Department, Medicine, Christchurch.

A passionate educator and activator, Amanda is championing our new Communities of Practice - interactive discussion groups designed to help you reflect, connect, and apply what you learn.

Reflect Team

Jen Collings, National Director CMFnz 

A leader in Christian church and charity circles, Jen serves as the National Director of CMFnz. Growing a professional membership association of doctors and medical students throughout New Zealand with a passion for serving Christ through their work in medicine is her full-time work and connecting with docs and med students, one of her greatest joys!

Actively engaged in a business case to support other Christian Professional Network Organisations to operate and thrive in New Zealand, she is on a mission with others to build God’s kingdom through faith and work.

Jen is married to Marcus, who leads as the Senior Pastor at Northcote Baptist Church. Together, they have two sons and a lively Labrador!

Dr Mark Jones, President and Chair of NCFNZ

Mark has worked in a range of international roles concerning nursing development and promotion.  At the Royal College of Nursing UK Mark’s work was key to the acquisition of prescribing rights by nurses and assisting in the development of the first educational programme for NPs in that country. Coming to NZ in 2005 to serve as the Chief Nurse, Dr Jones continued to support the development of advanced practice roles.

After 5 years as Chief Nurse Mark led an international outreach programme for the Western Australian government as Professor for Transcultural Health Improvement with Curtin University. Returning home Mark headed up the School of Nursing at Massey University and now operates an independent health consultancy majoring in policy development and analysis.

Further to his nursing degree Mark has a health policy master’s from the University of Bristol where he also undertook doctoral studies considering rationality, game theory and health choice.

Dr Amanda Landers

Dr Clair Wang

Clair is a fourth year house officer currently working at Middlemore Hospital. She has been involved with CMF since she was a second year medical student, and has been grateful for the Christian fellowship and many friendships it has provided her with during this time.

Long-term, Clair is hoping to specialise in either GP, Emergency Medicine, or ICU, and will be stepping up as an Emergency Medicine registrar in two months' time.

Outside of work, you will find her outdoors in the bush or at the beach, trying out a new recipe in the kitchen (and making a mess while she's at it!), and spending time with family and friends.

Plenary Speakers & Hosts

MCs

AUCKLAND

Eva Bassett

Eva is a new grad nurse at North Shore Hospital and passionate follower of Jesus. When she’s not on the wards, you’ll probably find Eva exploring the NZ bush. She joined CMF while at university and found a community of connection and encouragement that’s continued into her career. She’s bringing warmth, energy, and a love for Jesus to the stage & and we can’t wait for you to meet her.

Matthew Bassett

Matthew is a fourth-year medical student currently based at North Shore and Waitakere Hospitals. Matthew is passionate about rural medicine and has a growing heart for serving in the Pacific Islands. He’s found CMF to be a source of wisdom and encouragement throughout medical school and is thrilled to be stepping up as one of your MCs for Reflect 2025, alongside his cousin Eva!

DUNEDIN

George Bates

George has been involved with CMF for a few years now. He is a 5th-year med student in Dunedin, where he's lived since 2007. George is currently torn between medicine and surgery, but outside the hospital, he’s been busy running a church youth programme, completing a 26km mountain race, and getting engaged to a chemist. We’re thrilled to have George on board for Reflect 2025, Dunedin! 

Esther Wong

Esther is a final year medical student based at Christchurch Hospital with an interest in general practice. Outside of medicine, she enjoys playing guitar and singing. She is grateful to have been involved in CMF since 2nd year and for the community and fellowship found in CMF. Having served as a local and national CMFnz student leader, Esther is looking forward to hosting conference goers in Dunedin!

Devotional Speakers

Colonel Rod Carey - Auckland

Rod has served as a Salvation Army Officer (Pastor) for over 40 years, leading churches and ministries across New Zealand, Australia, and Samoa. From planting churches, to opening The Salvation Army’s first medical practice in Auckland, Rod brings deep pastoral wisdom and a heart for Christ-centred transformation.

His leadership spans community ministries, governance, addictions services, and pioneering work in healthcare. Through it all, Rod remains passionate about seeing lives changed through Christ and building life-giving churches and ministries.

In his down time Rod enjoys running, fishing and anything to do with cars. He is married to Jenny and has four adult children and five grandchildren - what a blessing!

We’re so looking forward to hearing from Rod as he helps anchor our time together in God’s Word and prayer. 

Professor Paul Trebilco - Dunedin

Paul is Professor of New Testament Studies in the Theology Programme at the University of Otago and a widely respected scholar and teacher. He has authored numerous books and articles on the New Testament and brings a depth of insight into God’s Word that will both encourage and challenge us.

In addition to his academic work, Paul is a member of the National Board for Tertiary Students Christian Fellowship. 

We look forward to being guided by Paul as we open Scripture together and reflect on what it means to follow Christ in healthcare.

Plenary Clinician Interviews

After a day of exploring matters of life and death in the context of healthcare and our faith in the Alpha & Omega, we will sit down with an experienced clinician to hear from the heart, mind and soul their personal story.

Entitled “living wholeheartedly for Christ through a workplace of shifting values” this session promises to reveal real life grappling and opportunities, sending us out inspired and filled with faith-filled hope for life and work!

David Tripp - Auckland Guest Clinician

Kelvin Billinghurst - Dunedin Guest Clinician

Kelvin is a generalist trained New Zealand doctor with an Australasian specialty in Medical Administration (FRACMA). He has extensive experience in public health, primary care, and rural medicine and has lived and worked in Africa, UAE, Australia, and New Zealand. He is currently pursuing doctorate level studies in public health/health economics / lifestyle medicine in between consultancy and locum work. He is married to Louise and has three boys.

Plenary Panel Session Host

Louise Bridges, Relationship & Network Specialist | Maxim Institute

Louise is passionate about connecting with people who are committed to shaping New Zealand’s future. With a background spanning business, media, advocacy, and the not-for-profit sector, she brings deep experience to her role. Louise is particularly interested in how faith, policy, and community intersect to build a more compassionate and hopeful society. Her work focuses on strengthening relationships and networks that inspire action and meaningful change. Louise is looking forward to hosting our panels sessions at Reflect in Auckland and Dunedin! 

Plenary Session Speakers (Auckland)

Maryanne Spurdle, Research Manager| Maxim Institute

Maryanne Spurdle is the Research Manager at the Maxim Institute, where her work has focused on education and end-of-life care. Prior to that, she worked as a communications specialist for non-profits in New Zealand and overseas. Her desire is to discover and communicate the best ways for families, communities, and governments to encourage human flourishing in a complex world. Maryanne will be providing an update (Auckland conference only) on her research into the assisted dying legislation in New Zealand. 

Angela Clark, Professional Nursing Advisor

Angela brings deep wisdom and experience to the table through her long-standing involvement with Nurses Christian Fellowship NZ, including four years as the NZ rep on the Pacific East Asia regional committee for NCF International. She is a passionate educator in the IHS Global Saline Process Training Programme. She finds nurses and doctors are hungry for understanding how to implement faith in practice within regulatory frameworks and professional standards.As a Professional Nursing Advisor, Angela is a strong advocate for both Saline and Reflect, adding richly to our kete of knowledge and Christian healthcare practice.In 2024, Angela served with YWAM Aotearoa Ships on medical missions and is looking forward to another outreach this year. We’re honoured to have her bring her insights, heart, and experience to our panel discussions.

Plenary Session Speakers (Dunedin)

Richard Egan, Co-director Social & Behavioural Research Unit| University of Otago Dunedin School of Medicine

Richard is a co-director of the Social and Behavioural Research Unit and an Associate Professor at the University of Otago's Dunedin School of Medicine. With a background in mental health promotion and secondary school teaching, his research spans spirituality in education and healthcare. He holds qualifications in theology, literature, religious studies, and public health, with over 80 peer-reviewed publications. He has held leadership roles in public health organizations and contributes to international networks on spirituality and health. 

Volunteer crew offer for students!