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

Reweti Ropiha

Rongowhakaata, Ngāi Tāmanuhiri

For over 25 years, Reweti Ropiha has led Turanga Health as the Chief Executive, transforming it from a small health provider into a regional powerhouse serving over 3,000 whānau across Tairāwhiti. His vision has always been clear: to take healthcare to the people, rather than waiting for the people to come to healthcare.

Jada Melbourne

Ngāi Tūhoe

As an aspiring Māori health practitioner, she is on the path to becoming a  future Māori health leader.
A competent psychiatrist with a moko kauae, fluent in te reo Māori, who can sit and play the guitar and tell really good stories.

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.