Dr Emerald Muriwai

Ngāti Ira, Ngai Tamahaua, Ngāti Patumoana, Te Whakatōhea, Airihi

DClinPsy, MSc Psychology

Emerald Muriwai is a Clinical Psychologist with a background in kaupapa Māori research, public health, indigenous psychology and sport psychology.

She is a Clinical Psychologist at Te Whatu Ora Te Toka Tumai Auckland in Adult Mental Health. She also serves as co-chair on the Executive Governance Board for Ngā Pou Mana Tangata Whenua Allied Health, which was established to provide a forum for Māori allied health professionals to discuss Māori allied health issues within and between professions. Emerald is also a certified Les Mills group fitness instructor who continues to participate in the exercise sector.

Emerald recently graduated with a Doctor of Clinical Psychology from Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland. Her thesis was entitled Ngā kaiwhakaako, whakapakari tinana me te hauora hinengaro Exercising Hauora: The contribution of Māori exercise professionals to wellbeing. Her current research and practice interests span across Māori mental health, exercise and sport psychology, trauma informed care, cultural safety, indigenous healing and indigenous data sovereignty. Drawing from her experience as a personal trainer, Emerald maintains the kaupapa of exercising hauora, seeking to advocate for integrating physical activity across the health sector and within mental health services.

Links:

Ngā kaiwhakaako, whakapakari tinana me te hauora hinengaro Exercising Hauora: The contribution of Māori exercise professionals to wellbeing (Doctoral Thesis)

Māori exercise professionals: using Indigenous knowledge to connect the space between performance and wellbeing 

Māori Identity, Old Solutions and New Problems

Toi Ako Webinar: Emerald Muriwai - Exercising Hauora 

Māori attitudes and behaviours towards alcohol

Smoking, Not Our Tikanga: An Analysis of Māori Identity and Smoking Behaviour

Smoking, not our tikanga - Exploring representations of Māori and smoking in national media

Culture as Cure? The Protective Function of Māori Cultural Efficacy on Psychological Distress

Profile By

Updated October 2024

He Rangatira Our Leaders

Dr Michelle Levy

Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Mahuta

Michelle has continued to advocate for Māori in psychology throughout her career and is currently the claimant for the Waitangi Tribunal Wai2725 Psychology in Aotearoa claim, which challenges the failure of the crown and its agencies to ensure Māori access to and participation in psychology. 

Juanita Te Kani

Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga

Juanita is a strong believer in working in partnership to influence change and encourages a collective approach to achieving equity in hauora outcomes for Māori. As the Deputy Chief Executive – Systems, Strategy and Policy at Te Aka Whai Ora, she is responsible for developing policy and strategy advice to improve hauora Māori outcomes.

Dr Esther Willing

Ngāti Toarangatira, Ngāti Koata, Ngā Ruahine

Dr Esther Willing is an academic and Māori health researcher focusing on how health policy and the health system can improve Māori health outcomes in Aotearoa.

Adele Hauwai

Ngāti-Kahungunu, Ngaī Tuhoe, Ngāti-Maniapoto, Ngāti-Pahauwera

Adele Hauwai is a mentor and facilitator who strongly focuses on supporting and contributing to mental health, well-being, and suicide prevention work.