Maungataniwha te Maunga

Tapapa te Awa

Mangamuka te Marae

Ngapuhi te Wharemoko

Puhi Kai Ariki

Puhi Moana Ariki

Puhi Taniwha Rau

Ko Ngapuhi te Iwi

Cynthia Otene is an esteemed Māori leader renowned for her significant contributions to hauora Māori, podiatry, and diabetes management. Born in Kaitaia and raised in Mangamuka, Cynthia has dedicated her career to Hauora Māori.

Cynthia holds a Master of Health Science and is currently completing her Doctorate in Health Science at Auckland University of Technology (AUT), supported by the  Tā Hemi Henare Kohanga Reo Doctorate Award.

A dedicated clinician, Cynthia has over 18 years of experience as a Diabetes Specialist Podiatrist, profoundly impacting Māori communities through her practice in clinical biomechanics, orthotics, and diabetic amputation prevention. Her commitment to Māori health and her excellence in clinical practice have been recognized internationally and nationally.

Cynthia currently serves as Associate Director at Deloitte, focusing on Māori health research and evaluation. Previously, she held research roles at Hapai Te Hauora, a provider of Māori public health services in the greater Auckland region, and health and disability services provider Te Toka Tumai Auckland (Health New Zealand), both using her leadership and expertise in healthcare. She has extensive experience in Marae based health services in North Waikato as well as community care throughout Te Taitokerau.

Her board and governance experience include serving as an Board Member and Investment Committee Representative for Te Taumata Hauora o Te Kahu o Taonui. Cynthia actively engages with community leadership, demonstrating her commitment to whānau, hapū, and iwi well-being through positions on various boards and trusts.

Cynthia's journey is driven by kaupapa Māori methodologies, advocating passionately for culturally informed health interventions. Through her work, Cynthia continues to inspire and influence positive change, exemplifying Māori leadership in health and beyond.

Links:

2024 Māori Health PhD Scholarship from the Health Research Council: Experiences of Māori with podiatry foot screening prior to Diabetic amputations.

AUT: Doctor of Health Science Alumni Function 4 March 2020 article

Appointed member of Te Taumata o Te Kahu o Taonui Iwi Māori Partnership Board 23 December 2022

Clinical characteristics of foot ulceration in people with chronic gout. International Wound Journal article March 2014

2025 Te Tiriti of Waitangi  Marae Session speaker

Hauora Hokianga Scholarships – A.R. Cox Nursing Scholarship past scholars: 2006 Cynthia Otene