Wendy Valler – Refuge Manager

Media & Public Enquiries

Wendy Valler is the Refuge Manager at Waitomo-Waipā Women’s Refuge, where she oversees the day-to-day operations of the organisation and supports the delivery of advocacy services for wāhine and tamariki across the Waitomo and Waipā districts.
With more than 16 years of experience in the family violence sector, Wendy works alongside advocacy staff, partner agencies, and the refuge board to ensure services are delivered safely, professionally, and in line with national refuge standards.
Her role focuses on operational leadership, staff support, and maintaining the systems that allow the refuge to continue supporting the community.

Leadership Profile

Name: Wendy Valler
Role: Refuge Manager
Organisation: Waitomo-Waipā Women’s Refuge
Sector Experience: 16+ years in the family violence sector
Region: Waitomo and Waipā Districts, Waikato
Focus Areas: Operational leadership, advocacy support, trauma-informed practice

Experience in the Family Violence Sector

Wendy has worked in the family violence sector for over 16 years.

Her connection with refuge work began through volunteering after the birth of her youngest child. After contributing as a volunteer and participating in the local collective, she later joined the organisation as a staff member and has remained committed to the work ever since.

Before entering the sector, Wendy spent 15 years working in banking before taking time away from the workforce to raise her family.

Her pathway into refuge work reflects a long-standing commitment to supporting women and families within the community.

Leadership in Practice

As Refuge Manager, Wendy’s role is to ensure the organisation has what it needs to support the advocates working directly with women.

The work is varied and often practical. Responsibilities can include operational management, supporting staff wellbeing, maintaining facilities, managing funding and reporting requirements, and responding to crisis situations when required.

Like many leaders within community services, the role involves contributing wherever needed to ensure the refuge can continue to operate effectively.

This may include:

• Supporting staff working in complex or high-pressure situations


• Maintaining operational systems and compliance processes


• Managing relationships with partner agencies such as Police


• Ensuring safe houses and offices are maintained for client use
• Supporting organisational planning and sustainability

Supporting the Team

A central part of Wendy’s role is supporting the wellbeing of the refuge team.

Advocacy work involves regular exposure to trauma, and ensuring staff have the support, resources, and systems required to process and manage that work is an important part of leadership.

This includes:

• Regular team check-ins


• Ensuring appropriate systems and processes are in place


• Supporting staff to access resources and tools needed for their work


• Creating safe and supportive work environments

Maintaining the wellbeing of staff helps ensure the refuge can continue to provide safe and effective services to the community.

Trauma-Informed Leadership

Wendy’s approach to leadership is informed by an understanding of the impacts of trauma on both clients and staff.

Advocacy work involves engaging with difficult situations on a daily basis. Supporting staff to navigate this work safely requires systems that allow them to process experiences and maintain their wellbeing.

For Wendy, trauma-informed leadership means ensuring the refuge has the structures, resources, and conversations in place to support the people doing this work.

Working Within the Community

Wendy has lived in the Waitomo-Waipā region for more than 20 years.

Through her work, family life, and community involvement, she has developed strong relationships within the area. Her experience living and working within the region has helped shape her understanding of the communities the refuge serves.

This includes ongoing engagement with local networks and agencies that work together to support wāhine and tamariki across the district.

Advocacy Philosophy

Advocacy at refuge is centred on walking alongside women as they make decisions about their own lives.

The role of an advocate is not to direct those decisions, but to support women with information, options, and practical assistance as they determine the path that is right for them.

This approach recognises that each person’s situation is unique and that meaningful support respects the autonomy and choices of those accessing services.

Values and Professional Standards

Wendy’s leadership is guided by several core principles that underpin refuge work.

Confidentiality
Protecting the privacy of women and families who access refuge services is essential.

Integrity
Being transparent, accountable, and honest in organisational work and relationships.

Responsibility
Acknowledging mistakes when they occur and learning from them as part of ongoing professional practice.

These values help guide decision-making within the organisation and support the safe delivery of services.

Why This Work Matters

Wendy comes from a family of strong women who encouraged open discussion, independent thinking, and mutual support.

Working within the refuge movement has reinforced the importance of women supporting one another and recognising the strengths that each person brings.

For Wendy, refuge work is about helping women rediscover their own strength and ensuring they have access to the support they need.

Governance and Accountability

Operational leadership sits alongside the governance oversight provided by the organisation’s Board.

For more information about the refuge’s governance structure, please visit the Governance & Accountability page.

Women's Refuge Waitomo Waipā is an affiliated member of the Women’s Refuge National Collective, working alongside refuges across Aotearoa to support women and whānau experiencing family violence.