Dovida brings home care to Northland 

Dovida New Zealand has reached an exciting milestone, welcoming its first Aged Care Specialist outside of Auckland and extending professional home care services to the Northland region for the first time. 

Jill Stratford will now be the local face of Dovida across Northland, bringing compassionate, person-centred care to older people and families in a region where quality home care has historically been difficult to access. 

For Jill, this role is deeply personal. Before joining Dovida, she worked across operations, property, project coordination, and ran her own business. Throughout every role, one thing remained constant – her love of working with people. 

“No matter the role, the part I’ve always loved most has been building genuine relationships and supporting others,” Jill says.  

“I’ve always enjoyed connecting with people from all walks of life and being able to make important times in their lives feel a little easier, calmer, and more supported.” 

It was her own family experience that brought her to home care. When Jill’s mother was diagnosed with cancer four years ago, she witnessed first-hand how stressful navigating care can be for a family. 

“I saw how emotional it could be trying to organise support, while also wanting Mum to remain comfortable at home,” she says.  

“It made me realise the huge need for compassionate, reliable care that not only helps the individual, but also reduces stress and anxiety for the whole family.” 

Jill brings something else to this role that makes her particularly well-placed to serve Northland – she married into a generational Northland family and understands the importance of local connection. 

“What I love most about Northland is the strong sense of community and genuine care people have for one another,” Jill says.  

“There’s a warmth and kindness here that allows people to feel connected and supported. It’s a very special place to work.” 

For families who may be considering support for the first time, Jill’s message is a reassuring one. 

“Asking for support doesn’t mean losing independence. Often, it’s the opposite.  

“Having the right support in place can help people continue doing the things they love, stay safely in their own home, and give families peace of mind. My hope is that families across Northland feel comfortable reaching out for a friendly conversation about what support could look like for them.” 

Leading Dovida New Zealand’s expansion is Director Michelle Bristowe, who knows the region well. A farmer’s daughter who grew up in rural Northland, Michelle returned home after 16 years in Australia to build Dovida’s presence across New Zealand. 

“Northland was the right next step for Dovida New Zealand because it sits at the intersection of unmet regional needs and untapped workforce potential,” she says.  

“This is our first step out of Auckland and into regional New Zealand and we want to bring both quality service and career opportunities to communities right across the country.” 

To find out more about Dovida’s services in Northland and across New Zealand, visit dovida.co.nz, call 09 300 6053, or email care@dovida.co.nz