Dr. Christine Ngā Hau Elers is a respected researcher, evaluator, and educator who is unwaveringly committed to advancing Hauora Māori and promoting equity within Aotearoa's health system. A skilled leader and advocate, Christine's work spans academia, health, and community development, demonstrating her dedication to whānau well-being and Māori aspirations.

Christine holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Communication, Journalism, and Marketing from Massey University. Her groundbreaking thesis, Māori meanings of health and wellbeing in a Whakapapa paradigm: Voices from the margins, utilised Kaupapa Māori research theory to explore communication platforms, earning her inclusion on the Dean’s List of Exceptional Theses in 2023. She also holds a Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws (with distinction) from the University of Waikato and a Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood) from Te Wānanga o Raukawa.

Christine’s academic endeavours have been complemented by extensive experience as a researcher and evaluator, including senior roles at Te Hiringa Hauora | Health Promotion Agency and Te Whatu Ora | Health NZ. Her work has included advocating for kaupapa Māori approaches to health evaluations in the public sector, integrating equity measures into health evaluations, conducting research into Māori health communication, and improving access to clinical trials for Māori communities.

Christine is deeply involved in governance and community development, reflecting her passion for fostering whānau well-being and Māori leadership. She serves as:

• Equity Evaluation Officer at Te Whatu Ora, leading evaluations to improve health service delivery for Māori.
• Member of the Māori Research Review Group at Te Whatu Ora.
• Trustee of Kauwhata Marae and the Ōroua Team Trust, focused on education and community support in Feilding.
• Member of the Kauwhata Māori Women’s Welfare League.
• Kaikaranga for her Iwi.
• Editorial board member for the Frontiers in Public Health journal, contributing her expertise to public health education and promotion. 
• Representative on the Consumer Council of Midcentral DHB (2021–2024).

Christine is committed to supporting the cultural, educational, and sporting aspirations of her community. She has played an instrumental role in Māori language revitalisation, curriculum development for kōhanga reo, and the establishment of a Māori language immersion satellite kura in the Ngāti Kauwhata rohe. Christine actively engages with initiatives to reconnect Māori communities with traditional practices, such as reclaiming mātauranga Māori knowledge around kai foraging and promoting māra kai (gardening) as a pathway to hauora and sustainability.

Christine’s research contributions extend to peer-reviewed journals, focusing on topics such as Māori health communication, decolonising health systems, and Indigenous environmental justice. She has also authored or co-authored studies exploring health inequities, Māori engagement in health services, and community resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Christine’s work is deeply rooted in whakapapa and guided by tikanga Māori. She views marae as vital sites for sharing mātauranga, inspiring intergenerational connections, and fostering collective well-being. Christine’s vision for the future is a health system that truly upholds Te Tiriti o Waitangi, prioritising equity and creating space for Māori communities to articulate their own health aspirations and challenges, and co-create their own solutions to these challenges.

Christine successfully spearheaded the inaugural kidney screening initiative in 2022, held in Feilding. This high-impact collaboration brought together Kidney Health New Zealand, Ngā Kaitiaki o Ngāti Kauwhata, and the wider community, effectively screening whānau and equipping them with valuable health information and resources.

Christine exemplifies the values of humility, service, and commitment to community that are integral to Māori leadership. Through her innovative research, leadership in health, and dedication to cultural revitalisation, Christine continues to uplift her people and pave the way for transformative change in Aotearoa.

Links:

Understanding ethnic inequities associated with tobacco use in Aotearoa New Zealand: a quantitative analysis

Communicating Māori Health and Wellbeing

Christine Elers Google Scholar Profile

PhD Thesis: Theorising Māori health and wellbeing in a whakapapa paradigm : voices from the margins : a thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Communication and Journalism at Massey University, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa, Center for Culture-Centered Approach to Research and Evaluation (CARE)

The influence of land struggles and democratic recognition on methods in the Global South| (YouTube) Start at 2:04.

Facilitator for Fighting Fire with Water – a way to navigate organised hate webinar (YouTube)

International Communication Association Conference 2020: Indigenous Resistance presentation. (YouTube)