Our Trustees
Rt. Hon. Helen Clark, Patron
Prime Minister of New Zealand (1999 - 2008) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator (2009 - 2017)
Helen Clark is a respected global leader in sustainable development, gender equality and international co-operation. She served three successive terms as Prime Minister of New Zealand between 1999 and 2008. Following her tenure in government, she assumed the role of Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for two terms from 2009 to 2017. During this tenure, Helen Clark oversaw programmes addressing maternal and newborn health, communicable diseases, and health system resilience in low- and middle-income countries, all areas in which sepsis is a major but often under-recognised contributor to mortality. Her leadership on pandemic preparedness has also highlighted the critical importance of early detection, coordinated response, and public awareness, principles central to effective sepsis prevention and treatment. In 2026 she became Patron of the NZ Sepsis Trust.
Dr Robert Martynoga, Trustee
Robert is an anaesthetist and intensive care physician with an interest in maternal and perinatal sepsis.
Dr Paul Huggan, Trustee
Honorary Associate Professor in the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine.
Paul is a highly respected infectious disease specialist, with extensive experience in clinical leadership, medical education, and research. As Head of Infectious Diseases at Health New Zealand | Waikato (2018–2025), he has been at the forefront of improving patient outcomes and advancing clinical practice. He has also served as National Clinical Lead for Sepsis Quality Improvement with the Health Quality & Safety Commission Te Tāhū Hauora.
Alongside his leadership, Paul is an accomplished researcher, with over 50 peer-reviewed publications spanning sepsis, infectious disease, and health equity. Following his medical education at The University of Edinburgh, Paul further strengthened his expertise with a PGCert in Statistics and Epidemiology (University of London), a PGCert in Health Management and Leadership (The University of Waikato), and Te Pokaitahi Reo (Te Kaupae 3) from Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, reflecting both his technical depth and cultural responsiveness. His doctorate from the University of Auckland (2023) focused on the epidemiology and impact of sepsis in Aotearoa, further cementing his academic contribution.
As a Fellow of the The Royal Australasian College of Physicians and the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, Paul’s scholarship and service carry international standing.
Paul also brings rich international experience from his time in Singapore as Assistant Professor at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine , where he held significant educational leadership roles.
Dr Dan Dobbins, Trustee
Dan is an emergency medicine physician with an interest in the acute management of patients with infection and sepsis. Dan is at the heart of efforts to improve sepsis recognition and resuscitation in his emergency department.
Chris Green
Chris joins the Trust having had over 15 years experience in the non-profit sector in a variety of senior marketing, communications and fundraising roles. He has worked with small and large organsations, from the Cancer Society and Stroke Foundation through to the Hutt Valley based Te Omanga Hospice.
Ashvindev Singh, Trustee
A Project, Programme & Portfolio Management professional with over 7 years of experience in healthcare, including Auckland DHB & the Health Quality & Safety Commission. Managed and delivered projects ranging from large scale change pieces, process improvement projects at a whole of DHB and individual business unit level & NZ wide project delivery implementations across all 20 DHBs and for higher
Ashvindev’s particular focus is in systems engineering whereby using the principles of project management, service design, and customer experience to leverage against technology as an enabler to deliver on better patient outcomes. Ashvindev is also experienced in the ‘whole of organisation’ governance & strategy space.
Contact Info
Sepsis Trust NZ
PO Box No 565
Waikato Mail Centre
Hamilton 3240
info@sepsis.org.nz
Charity No. CC56078
Helpful Links
With thanks to funders
ACC
Potter Trust
Nelson Pine Industries Limited
Southern Cross Healthcare
Te Niwha
