Ko Ngā Rangatira

Adele Tohiariki is an aspiring Māori medical practitioner and champion for Māori representation in the health sector.

Te Rato Leach is an emerging leader in Māori health, dedicated to serving his community and empowering Māori youth through education and mentorship.

Maia Mariner founded Lazy Sneakers, a not-for-profit organisation that collects and redistributes reusable sneakers for free. Maia is just 18. She came up with this idea at 12 and has enabled tamariki to participate in sports and other activities across Pōneke and around the country with a simple pair of shoes. She became one of the country's youngest entrepreneurs.

Mathew's holistic worldview is reflected in every part of his life. A dedicated father, partner, and community connector, he lives his values of manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, and equity—whether designing mental health services or gathering kai moana with whanau.

Noah Appleby is a rising Māori health leader whose research and advocacy are reshaping the future of hauora Māori.

Having personally experienced severe addiction and depression, anxiety, homelessness, incarceration, and Chris is now dedicated to supporting others struggling with drug and alcohol dependency an addictions practitioner and creative therapy consultant.

Carleen Heemi plays a pivotal role in her community as a Speech and Language Therapist, advocate for normalising Te Reo Māori and seeing all those around her reach their full potential. 

Dr Matt Wheeler is a leading Māori haematologist, physician, and tireless advocate for health equity, whose influence spans medicine, policy, and national discourse.

Grace Tairua is a wife and mother of four girls who is currently in her second year at Wintec studying for a Bachelor of Nursing.

As an aspiring Māori health practitioner, Denver is on the path to becoming a future Māori health leader.

Tapeka's passion for advancing Māori oral health is palpable and deeply rooted in a profound understanding of the significance of oral health within Māori culture.