Meet the team

New owners Leon and Emma bring passion and vision to Keystone Lodge, along with a deeply personal connection to recovery. Both walked through the doors of Keystone Lodge during their own journeys of self-discovery and healing, so they understand first-hand the courage it takes to seek change, the importance of connection, and the life-changing impact of feeling truly seen and supported.

Backed by an incredible and compassionate team, they walk alongside each guest with understanding, structure and care, keeping individuality in recovery the first priority in everything Keystone Lodge does.

James is Keystone Lodge’s Intake and Engagement Manager and is often the very first voice people hear when reaching out for help. With a genuine passion for people and recovery, he brings warmth, understanding and compassion to every conversation, helping individuals and families feel supported from the start.

James knows no two recovery journeys are the same and places strong emphasis on tailoring support to each person, so everyone who connects with Keystone Lodge feels heard, valued and cared for.

Janey is a Registered Addiction Clinician and Recovery Coach with over 20 years of personal sobriety and more than two decades of experience supporting individuals and whānau through addiction and mental health challenges. Drawing on lived experience and qualifications in counselling and AOD support, she brings a calm, compassionate and grounded approach.

Known for her quick wit and genuine sense of humour, Janey brings lightness to the healing process when it’s needed most, helping clients build emotional stability, reconnect with their values and discover that lasting recovery is possible.

Anna is a DAPAANZ Registered Addiction Clinician with over 20 years of lived experience in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Her own journey lets her bring genuine compassion, understanding and hope to those beginning their path to recovery.

With her warm smile and welcoming nature, Anna has a natural ability to put clients at ease, creating a safe and supportive environment where healing can begin. She finds immense fulfilment in witnessing the transformation that occurs when addiction is replaced with hope, healing and joy.

Tahira is a dedicated registered nurse with more than ten years of experience in mental health and addiction. With a background in nursing and addiction care, she excels in evaluating and managing the detoxification process to ensure guest safety and effectiveness.

Tahira brings a compassionate approach to each assessment, combining in-depth knowledge of substance withdrawal symptoms, medication management and individualised care planning.

Affectionately known as Mumma T, Tanya brings lived experience, genuine compassion and a big heart to the Keystone Lodge team. Having walked her own journey, she understands the courage it takes to find your new normal, one minute at a time.

Always wearing the biggest smile, nothing is ever too much trouble, whether it’s a 3am cup of tea, a listening ear or simply being there. You’ll often find her with her favourite Dora the Explorer backpack vacuum in tow, caring for both the Lodge and the people within it.

Amber has just completed Level 4 Health & Wellbeing (Mental Health & Education) and brings lived experience, compassion and a genuine passion for helping others on their recovery journey. Warm and caring, she is always there with a comforting chat and a listening ear.

Having experienced first-hand the importance of structure and routine in long-term recovery, Amber works alongside each guest to create a personalised wraparound aftercare plan, so they leave with the confidence, support and practical foundations needed for lasting recovery.

With years of experience in corporate recruitment, Chantelle brings a natural ability to connect with people, create meaningful structure and keep things moving with purpose. Through her wider connection with recovery, she has seen the profound change it can create for individuals and their families.

As Keystone Lodge’s Recovery Mentor and Operations Coordinator, Chantelle combines her passion for helping people with exceptional organisational skills, bringing warmth, encouragement and structure to everyday life at the Lodge. For Chantelle, recovery is about building a life that feels meaningful and worth moving towards.

Christie brings over 20 years of lived experience in recovery and a genuine passion for supporting both clients and their families. She understands the importance of connection and belonging, knowing that healing extends beyond the individual.

You’ll often find Christie whistling away in the kitchen with music playing, preparing nourishing meals that bring people together. She lives and breathes the recovery lifestyle and is a huge advocate for the 12-step programme, believing that right actions lead to a solid foundation for recovery and a life beyond your wildest dreams.

Abby brings lived experience, genuine compassion and a deep understanding of the recovery journey to her role as a Recovery Mentor. Through her own recovery, she understands first-hand the courage it takes to create meaningful and lasting change.

Warm and approachable, Abby walks alongside guests with empathy, encouragement and hope. She is passionate about helping others believe in themselves, navigate the challenges of early recovery and discover that a fulfilling life in recovery is possible, making her a wonderful source of inspiration for those beginning their own journey.

Deb is a long-time Hibiscus Coast resident and a valued member of the Keystone Lodge team. A constant source of support, nothing is ever too much trouble for Deb: she is always willing to lend a helping hand, share a laugh or simply sit and listen.

With a genuine interest in people and their stories, Deb loves getting to know each client and their individual journey. Her calm, caring nature and unwavering reliability help create the safe, welcoming environment that makes Keystone Lodge feel like home.

Andy brings lived experience, authenticity and a quiet strength to the Keystone Lodge team, and has completed a certificate in Mental Health and Addiction – Health and Wellbeing (Peer Support).

A steady and dependable presence, Andy has a natural ability to build trust and meaningful connections, particularly with young men, and is often a confidant, mentor and positive role model for those navigating early recovery. Drawing on his own journey of courage and resilience, he offers genuine understanding, encouragement and hope, helping guests realise the true potential that recovery can bring.

Will is a passionate, caring and humble member of the Keystone Lodge team whose quiet strength has a calming presence on everyone around him. Whether he’s working in the gardens, enjoying weekend activities alongside clients or sitting down for a quiet chat, Will is always happy to be wherever he’s needed.

A firm believer in the 12-Step programme, Will credits it with saving his life and giving him the freedom he enjoys today. He shares his experience, strength and hope, inspiring others to believe the same freedom is possible for them.

As Keystone Lodge’s in-house chef, Lynda plays a special role in nurturing recovery through the comfort and connection that good food can bring. Passionate about healing through feeding the soul, she creates wholesome, nourishing meals that provide not only physical sustenance but also warmth, care and a sense of home.

More than providing meals, Lynda helps create moments of comfort, routine and togetherness, reminding those in recovery that healing can often begin with the simplest acts of care.

Ed is a professional guitarist and teacher who lives in Piha on Auckland’s West Coast. He holds a Bachelor of Music (Classical Guitar Performance) from Auckland University and performs regularly with his bands Ghost Town and the Ed Taylor Collective, as well as playing as a solo guitarist.

Every Saturday Ed performs at Keystone Lodge while guests enjoy a special lunch service.

Teddy is our one-year-old Cavoodle and a special part of the Keystone Lodge family. With his playful nature, wagging tail and irresistible puppy-dog eyes, he has a way of making everyone feel welcome.

Whether he’s greeting guests at the door, offering quiet companionship on a tough day or bringing smiles with his cheeky personality, Teddy reminds us of the healing power of connection. Sometimes the smallest things make the biggest difference in recovery: a warm smile, a kind word, or a furry friend who sits beside you without judgement.