Dr Candy Louise Ramarihi Hera Cookson-Cox
Te Arawa, Ngāti Rangiteaorere, Uenukukōpako, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Ngāi Tahu
He kai kei aku ringa
Said of a person who can use her basic abilities and resources to create success.
Dr Candy Louise Ramarihi Hera Cookson-Cox ONZM is a true embodiment of this whakataukī, a trailblazer whose contributions to health, education, and Māori development have left an indelible mark on Aotearoa. Her career spans decades of transformative mahi in nursing, research, education, and community well-being, underscoring her commitment to uplifting whānau, hapū, and iwi.
Dr Cookson-Cox was the first Māori nurse to gain a doctorate in education, an extraordinary achievement that inspired countless Māori students and professionals to pursue excellence in health and education. Her leadership as a senior nursing lecturer and later as Head of the School of Health, Nursing and Education at Waiariki Institute of Technology established her as a pivotal force in embedding cultural safety within New Zealand’s nursing curriculum. She co-authored the Guidelines for Cultural Safety for the Nursing Council of New Zealand and designed innovative programs, including the National Diploma in Applied Māori Health (Co-existing Disorders) and National Certificate in Public Health (Suicide Intervention).
Her commitment to advancing Māori health education extended to her contributions at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, where she supported the development and delivery of Te Ōhanga Mataora Paetahi – Bachelor of Health Science Māori Nursing, the first Māori nursing program taught by a whare wānanga.
A cornerstone of Dr Cookson-Cox’s career is her research into suicide prevention and postvention, underpinned by kaupapa Māori frameworks. Collaborating with Dr. Tepora Emery, she co-developed Te Waiata a Hinetitama—Hearing the Heart Song: Whakamate i Roto i a Te Arawa, a groundbreaking Māori suicide research project for whānau impacted by suicide. This mahi drew on a waiata composed by a Te Arawa kuia to restore the mana of a young man and his whānau. Dr Cookson-Cox has also presented on the use of tangihanga (rites for the dead) as a culturally grounded methodology for suicide postvention, sharing powerful stories that build compassion and understanding.
Dr Cookson-Cox’s professional journey reflects her dedication to improving Māori health outcomes. As a self-employed consultant through Ua-Cox Consulting, she provides expert guidance in health, education, and professional supervision. She also serves as the Child and Youth Mortality Review Coordinator for Lakes District Health Board, championing the well-being of tamariki and rangatahi.
Her role as Kaiako at Anamata, a Tūhoe-led educational institute, highlights her commitment to community-driven kaupapa. Within Tūhoe, she is revered for her dedication to delivering culturally grounded education and mentoring future leaders.
In 2019, Dr Cookson-Cox was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for her services to health, a testament to her far-reaching impact. Despite this accolade, she remains humble, tirelessly sharing her knowledge to empower others.
Links:
New Zealand Herald Rotorua Daily Post: Helping support those left behind, 27 September 2014
Health Research Council of New Zealand Supporting whānau bereaved by suicide 30 September 2014
Te Pū Wānanga o Anamata Tutors
Te Rau Matatini Annual Report 2013-2014, Waka Hourua Refence Group (Māori Roopū) page 10
Ngaira Harker, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, Nurse Director Māori Health Hawkes Bay District Health Board
Updated 8 Jan 2025
