“He aha te mea nui o te ao, He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata”

Cherie Seamark is a visionary leader with extensive experience in kaupapa Māori primary and community health services. Passionate about addressing inequities and improving Māori health outcomes, Cherie embodies a commitment to transformative change in the health and wellbeing of whānau Māori.

On 20 June 2024, Cherie was appointed Chief Executive of Te Awakairangi Health Network (PHO). In this role, she is focused on improving health and wellbeing outcomes for the people of the Hutt Valley within the primary and community health sector. Te Awakairangi Health Network supports general practice teams by providing intensive interventions through outreach nurses, community health workers, social workers, clinical pharmacists, health improvement practitioners, health coaches, and primary mental health professionals.

Cherie also serves as the Chairperson of the Kapiti Community Health Network, where she fosters partnerships and relationships between providers to coordinate health services that address the unique needs of local populations, with a particular focus on whānau Māori.

With a strong foundation in business, management, and leadership, Cherie completed an MBA at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington. Her extensive knowledge of Te Ao Māori wellbeing services and the New Zealand primary care environment stems from previous roles as General Manager at Hora Te Pai Health Service and Kaiwhakahaere General Manager of Māori and Population Health for Tū Ora Compass Health. These positions allowed her to significantly enhance the quality of primary healthcare across Wellington, Porirua, Wairarapa, and Kāpiti.

Cherie’s leadership philosophy centres on empowering others, encouraging innovation, and fostering environments where ideas flow freely. She views today’s solutions as shaping tomorrow’s future, always taking a holistic perspective on health and wellbeing.

Her commitment extends to governance, where she serves as an elected member and Deputy Chair of the Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai Charitable Trust. During the first COVID-19 lockdown, Cherie led the Trust's whānau-centric response, establishing Manaaki Kapiti, a community care initiative providing health and welfare support for COVID-19-positive whānau. She also chaired the steering group that set up the first Iwi Māori Partnership Board under the Pae Ora Act (Ātiawa Toa Iwi Māori Partnership Board).

Previously, Cherie held the role of General Manager at Te Aka Whai Ora | Māori Health Authority, contributing to transformational change and strengthening the Māori hauora workforce. Her ability to balance strategic vision with practical implementation reflects her authenticity and dedication to achieving progress for her people.

Cherie’s leadership continues to reflect the values instilled in her by her kuia and whakapapa, ensuring that whānau and community remain at the heart of her mahi.

Links:

• Te Awakairangi Health Network - Cherie Seamark
• Fostering a sense of kinship — Nikau Foundation
• Massey University - Cancer support programmes for Māori whānau » Centre for Public Health Research 
• Collaborative Aotearoa
• Improving quality of life in Maori patients with poorly managed Gout registered at Hora te Pai Health Centre in the Kāpiti Coast.
• Cancer support programmes for Māori whānau » Centre for Public Health Research (massey.ac.nz)
• Health services going extra mile under Covid-19 lockdown | RNZ
• Capital and Coast DHB hits 90% double vaccinated for eligible Māori | RNZ News