Ko Tararua te maunga,
Ko Manawatū te awa,
Ko Ngāti Raukawa te iwi
Ko Leilani Maraku tōku ingoa

I am the current Pou Whakahaere for Te Kete Pounamu and Manukura (Chief Executive) for Mana o te Tangata Trust a Kaupapa Māori Mental Health & Addiction Peer Support Service in the MidCentral district health board.

I have held previous roles in Te Ūpoko o Ngā Oranga o Te Rae a central region contract with district health boards supporting 18 Māori and non-Māori mental health and addiction providers with technical support, in-service training and enhancing tangata whaiora voice.

I had the privilege to develop and deliver adult youth and their whānau, addictions peer support services throughout the Manawatū region; this also included providing services within the Manawatū prison working with male offenders (18-32 years old) with mental health and addiction issues and their whānau outside the prison. It was followed by a joint initiative between four Alcohol and other drugs Non-government organisations (NGO) providers with the Department of Corrections Community Probation – A single point of entry for referrals that rolled out from the MidCentral district health board..

I have a drive and a passion to work in this space and bring my experience as a mental health and addictions worker from a consumer-focused platform, front line service delivery, administration and management. I am a strong advocate for ensuring that the voice of Tangata whaiora and their whānau are inclusive and heard. I believe it is paramount that we implement a whole system paradigm change across all sectoral sectors.