The Story Behind Hire A Daughter
The name Hire A Daughter comes from a very personal place for me, Maxine — owner and operator.
In 2013, my darling dad became very unwell with cancer. Many of his medical appointments were in Palmerston North, while we were living at Foxton Beach at the time. I was working full-time in sales in Levin, and whenever I could, I would take time off work to help Dad get to his appointments and support my parents.
A lot of my parents’ friends would often say, “I wish we had a daughter like yours,” seeing how much I tried to be there for them. Unfortunately, I couldn’t always get time off work. Dad was blessed with an amazing doctor who allowed us to do conference calls, so I could still be involved, hear what was happening, and support Dad even when I couldn’t be there in person.
Sadly, my dad passed away in December 2015.
After his passing, Mum and I moved back to Palmerston North. I began doing some driving for the Cancer Society, picking up clients and taking them to their treatments. Over time, many of those clients asked if they could specifically request me to take them. I happily agreed.
That was when I truly saw the need — people didn’t just need transport or help; they needed someone they could trust, someone who cared, someone who felt like family.
And that’s how Hire A Daughter was born in October 2018.
Meet the Team
Maxine
Hi, I’m Maxine Jones, a proud local, born and raised in Palmerston North.
I’m a people-focused person who genuinely loves what I do. Building meaningful connections and supporting others is at the heart of both my life and my work.
Outside of work, I enjoy 10-pin bowling (which I absolutely love!) and walking to keep fit and recharge. I also have a beautiful adopted fur baby who now has the best forever home.
I’m very social by nature and truly value the relationships I build with my clients and community. I believe in kindness, reliability, and going the extra mile—because to me, it’s not just about providing a service, it’s about making a real difference in people’s lives.
I feel incredibly grateful to do what I love every day—my cup is very full.
Trish
I am Trish and am a born and bred Palmerston North local and grew up on a farm just 20 minutes out of town. My husband and I have ventured away twice over the years, but we’ve always found our way back home to Palmy.
I’ve always enjoyed connecting with older generations — I value their life stories, their wisdom, and their fantastic sense of humour. Joining Hire-A-Daughter gave me the opportunity to give something back to the senior members of our community while continuing to learn from them every day. Family is everything to me. I’m a mum to two adult children (one in Wellington and one in Australia) and a very proud Nanny to five wonderful grandchildren who bring so much joy to my life.
When I’m not working, you’ll find me playing in a lively seven-member ukulele group, listening to music of all kinds, love to read a good book, like a nice walk, do charity baking, and love a good crime series and love going to the movies
Helen
I’m proud to work with Maxine & Hire A Daughter, where I have the privilege of creating meaningful moments with our clients—whether we’re out exploring or simply enjoying time together. I love listening to people’s stories, learning from their experiences, and sharing laughter that brightens their day.
Safety is always my top priority, and I bring kindness, patience, and genuine care to every visit. My early experience working in a supermarket taught me how wonderfully diverse people can be. It helped me build confidence in connecting with all kinds of personalities
and, just as importantly, knowing when to pause, listen, and truly understand what someone needs.
I’ve always felt a natural connection with people of all ages. I love to laugh, smile, and create a warm, uplifting atmosphere while still providing a professional experience. Making someone’s day—by giving them a break from their routine and offering companionship they can rely on—is something I value deeply.
Nicky
After seeing an advertisement on Facebook from Maxine at Hire A Daughter, looking for a driver and someone to assist clients on outings, I felt this role could be the perfect fit. From the moment I met Maxine and observed her and the team in action, I was truly amazed and in awe of the genuine care, compassion, and commitment they show in providing the very best support for their clients.
