Dr Kasey Tawhara is a nationally respected Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, and Māori health leader whose work blends clinical expertise with aroha, whakapapa, and unwavering advocacy for Māori-led healthcare. As Kaihautū of Te Ohu Rata o Aotearoa (Te ORA) Māori Medical Practitioners, and a specialist based in Rotorua, she is leading system transformation with Māori values at the heart.

Raised in Ōtaki, she then attended high school at St Josephs Maori Girls College.  Kasey’s journey through medicine began at the University of Otago (2002-2007) and she credits support from Te Huka Matauraka, Te ORA and her whanau to how she has developed and grown as a Maori clinician.  She is now a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists having completed her training across rural and urban communities throughout Aotearoa. 

Kasey’s career is guided by her belief that whānau already hold the answers—they just need to be listened to, uplifted, and resourced. As a māmā of two, she understands the power of connection, and her work reflects this—from vaccine wānanga for hapū māmā, to national cervical screening strategies with the Smear Your Mea campaign and more recently cultural safety leadership.

Her contributions span research, clinical education, and governance. She is a founding member of He Hono Wāhine - RANZCOG, and an active contributor to kaupapa aimed at increasing cultural safety and reducing health inequities across medical education and practice. Her voice is courageous and clear in calling for health systems that reflect te reo Māori, tikanga, and tino rangatiratanga.

Kasey’s approach to medicine is deeply relational—grounded in manaaki, equity, and whakapapa. She carries her people with her in every decision, honouring both her tīpuna and her tamariki in her pursuit of a health system that empowers Māori.

“Mā te kōrero, ka ora. Our wellbeing begins with safe, honest conversations—about our bodies, our choices, and our futures.”

Links:

Cultural safety (article)

94 | Dr. Kasey Tawhara on cultural safety, He Hono Wāhine & OBGYN Doctor NOS (Audio)

Kia Ora Māmā | Episode 4| Q + A with Dr Kasey Tawhara (video)

Māori Health Hui | Speakers (profile)

Wāhine and tāne advised to learn gynaecological cancer symptoms Te Ao News 14 September 2021 video and article

Local Focus: Māmā, pēpi, whānau and vaccine NZ Herald, 13 November 2021 (Audio)

Dr Kasey Tawhara - PRIDoC 2022 Keynote (YouTube)