LIVING WELL AT HOME MATTERS TO OUR COMMUNITY:
so, it matters deeply to Nurse Maude.

For more than 130 years, Nurse Maude has been part of the fabric of communities across Aotearoa me Te Waipounamu New Zealand. Founded in 1896 by Sibylla Maude, her vision was simple but ahead of its time: that nursing care should be delivered in people’s homes, not only in hospitals, and that everyone should have access to it. Today, that belief continues to shape the way care is delivered, supporting people to remain in the place they feel most comfortable — their own home.

As New Zealand’s first community nursing service, Nurse Maude combines a long-standing legacy with modern clinical expertise. At the heart of our approach is a focus on helping people maintain independence, recover well, and stay connected to their communities. Care is developed in partnership with clients and their whānau, recognising that wellbeing is not just physical, but also social and emotional.

For Margaret, an active and independent 82-year-old, a mild stroke changed her sense of certainty overnight. Everyday tasks became more difficult, and she began to worry that she might not be able to continue living safely at home — something that mattered deeply to both her and her family.

With support in place soon after she returned home, Margaret and her whānau were able to talk through what was most important to her. Her goals were simple but meaningful: to dress herself without feeling rushed, prepare her own breakfast, and return to her weekly church service.

The Nurse Maude team worked alongside Margaret, supporting her to rebuild her strength and confidence. Small, everyday activities became part of her recovery — preparing meals, moving safely around her home, and regaining a sense of routine. Progress came step by step, guided by encouragement and practical support.

Equally important was reconnecting with her community. Returning to church marked a turning point, helping restore not just her confidence, but her sense of belonging. With the right support and a few practical adjustments, she was able to do this safely.

Her whānau also felt reassured, knowing she was supported by a team that understood her needs and kept them involved along the way. Over time, Margaret became steadier, more confident, and more independent. As she improved, the level of support reduced — a reflection of the progress she had made.

“I was worried I might lose my independence,” Margaret says. “But they didn’t take over — they helped me do things for myself again. That made all the difference. I feel like me.”

Stories like Margaret’s highlight a broader shift in how care is delivered in the community. Increasingly, the focus is on enabling people to do as much as they can for themselves, rather than having tasks done for them. This approach supports not only recovery, but also dignity, confidence, and long-term wellbeing.

Nurse Maude works closely with general practices, hospitals, and other health providers to ensure care is connected and consistent. This can make transitions from hospital to home smoother and help reduce the likelihood of readmission. Behind the scenes, systems and processes support coordinated care while protecting personal information.

As a not-for-profit organisation, Nurse Maude reinvests its funding into services and workforce development. Alongside homecare across the South Island and Greater Wellington, our services include district nursing, specialist clinics, school-based nursing, hospice & specialist palliative care, and a 75-bed residential care in Christchurch that also provides respite care. Additional services, such as a health and mobility shop and hospice retail stores, help support people to live well at home while contributing to the sustainability of services.

Community support also plays a significant role. More than 260 volunteers contribute thousands of hours each year, supporting patients, families, and day-to-day operations. Their involvement reflects a wider sense of shared responsibility for caring for others.

The scale of care provided is substantial. Each year, Nurse Maude teams make more than one million visits to people in their homes, supporting everyday needs such as personal care, medication, meals, and household tasks. Alongside this, District Nursing and palliative care services support patients and families through some of life’s most challenging times, while residential care provides a place of comfort and connection.

In 2025 and 2026, Reader’s Digest New Zealand readers recognised Nurse Maude as a Highly Commended Trusted Brand for Home Care Services. The recognition reflects the value people place on care that is not only clinically sound, but also compassionate, respectful, and reliable.

For many, the ability to remain at home, connected to familiar surroundings and community, is deeply important. Supporting that choice — with the right care, at the right time — continues to sit at the heart of Nurse Maude’s work.

Nurse Maude. Trusted legacy. Proven care.
www.nursemaude.org.nz