Ko Takitimu te waka
Ko Mauao te Maunga
Ko Ngati Ranginui, Ngaiterangi oku iwi
Ko Ngai Tamarawaho te hapu
No Taurangamoana ahau
Ko Te Puea Winiata ahau

I have been with Te Rau Ora for 20 years. I have a passion for supporting the development of a strong Māori Health workforce across the health sector and many of the disciplines where we need more Māori practitioners. Many of those who have accessed courses and scholarships work across many sectors where they are supporting better outcomes for whānau.

While the decisions the Board makes have a strategic focus we are also able to see some short term gains with the high-quality leadership we have on staff who are able to respond to sector needs and develop programmes. It has also been gratifying to see that the move from a sole focus on Māori Mental Health and Addiction workforce to an expanded Māori Health workforce development focus has meant greater reach into areas where Māori practitioners need support and skills to enhance whānau wellbeing. I value the innovation space we as a Board can contribute to that will continue the legacy of the moemoea from Sir Mason Durie.

The next 20 years will not only see an expansion of the Māori workforce but also the range of skills they will need to work flexibly to meet whānau health needs across communities while also honing in on specialist skills. I would also see further growth of wairua practitioners and to increase access for whānau training in this area to help themselves and their own whānau. Mental health and addiction practitioners and those with lived experience need to become a more significant workforce in primary health care. The provision of more “learning while you work” options will be important in the short term as a way to staircase whānau into higher-level tertiary qualifications in the medium term. Te Rau Ora has the capability to achieve both short and medium-term objectives to achieve the longer-term aspiration over the next 20 years of whānau having the skills to be in charge of their own health and wellbeing, and easy access to a skilled Māori workforce behind whatever door they open.