Driven to improve government policy, systems and services
Disability advocate
JO ESPLIN’S was a rare voice of common sense that came from someone driven to improve government policy, systems and services.
In a world where competing agendas can make addressing fundamental issues affecting the quality of the lives of disabled people and their carers difficult to fix, Jo was a passionate advocate who brought her considerable leadership and facilitation skills to the table.
Her first career was as an early childhood teacher before moving to a role with the IHC, where she was soon on the management pathway which included undertaking a master in business administration at the University of Otago.
Despite initial trepidation at not being up to the task, Jo thrived in the challenging environment, drawing strength from her growing friendships with classmates.
The MBA was a seminal experience for Jo, and in 2019 she helped to arrange a highly successful 25year class reunion at Larnach Castle.
Her MBA thesis topic, ‘‘Equipment for People with Disabilities’’, highlighted her concern for a more equitable society for all, and particularly for those at risk of being left behind.
Her thesis helped her win a role with the Southern Regional Health Authority, where she oversaw the transfer of funding for disability programmes from the Department of Social Welfare to Health.
In 1998, Jo became the strategy manager for disability services in the new Health Funding
Authority and later transferred to the Ministry of Health.
Jo became increasingly frustrated with the constraints of being a senior public servant, so started a consulting career that gave her greater flexibility and the chance to pursue her own agenda.
She formed Acqumen, an independent consulting company, in 2002 and achieved much during this time, from service reviews to strategic planning, and workforce and policy development — all with a focus on health and disability services.
In 2013, Jo joined Sapere as a principal consultant, which enabled her to have greater involvement in research and evaluation with the support of a larger team.
Her work took her into people’s homes, where they could be comfortable and tell their oftenpainful stories and share ideas on how services and systems could be improved. David Moore, from Sapere, said Jo’s empathy and respect for others enabled her to undertake sensitive research with people who seldom had a voice, and to do this in a way that few others could match. This ability to understand different points of view and find common points of interest was a hallmark of Jo’s talent.
A career highlight was her work with Carers NZ and the Carers Alliance on the development of the government’s first Carers’ Strategy in 2008. Jo facilitated consultation processes with family carers and authored papers that the carer movement used to lobby politicians and public servants for action. She then straddled the carer groups and the Ministry of Social Development to help write the government strategy.
Jo also led the consultation and partnerships work for the second Carers’ Strategy Action Plan and worked alongside the carer movement to progress fair payment for family carers.
Carers NZ chief executive Laurie Hilsgen said Jo always ‘‘got’’ carers — not everyone understands their importance and the huge contribution they make to their families and society.
Jo had many publications during her consulting career. She was delighted when a case study on implementing a Managed Clinical Network in New Zealand, completed by Sapere under Jo’s watch and in conjunction with the University of Otago, was recently published in the International Journal of Healthcare Management.
In 2012, Jo joined the board of Man Alive, a notforprofit organisation that works to promote positive manhood and communities that work for everyone. She was the first woman to be elected to chair the board, which required her to lead a malefocused organisation through complex conversations about inclusiveness and diversity, and what community responsive might look like.
Under her stewardship, the organisation became stronger and grew in the range of services it provides and communities it reaches. Jo was incredibly proud of the Man Alive team and its collective achievements.
While working for the Health Funding Authority, Jo met Peter Leathem, who was to become the love of her life.
As a couple of bon vivants, they were soon known for their dinner parties and shared sense of fun and adventure.
When Peter’s job took him to Auckland in 2012, Jo was reluctant to move from Wellington, so he made the fine strategic move of buying a house in Franklin Rd — party central for those who shared Jo’s love for Christmas.
Joanne Mary Esplin was born in
Gore on September 3, 1965, and was the much anticipated and only child of Bill and June (nee Coote) Esplin.
Bill was a colourful character who worked as a butcher then a mechanic, schooling Jo in his dual loves of food and cars. He was the secretarymanager of the Gore Town and
Country Club and while performing cleanup duties also managed to teach Jo the fine art of pool playing.
June was highly sociable and had many friends — qualities Jo emulated by staying true to her extended family and childhood friendships and making friends from all walks throughout her life.
Jo began experiencing health problems three years ago, and the sad irony of the helper being unable to reach out and accept help from others can’t be overlooked.
When her relationship with Peter came to an end, Jo stayed on at Franklin Rd and enjoyed one more Christmas with the neighbourhood crew. It was there that she died of natural causes on July 1, aged 54.
Always generous with her time and knowledge, and always open to embracing new challenges and friendships along the way, Jo’s warmth and compassion will be missed enormously by her extended family, friends and many others.
— Carmel Daly and Christine HowardBrown