Dr Kiri Prentice BHB, MBChB, FRANZCP

Ngai Tūhoe and Ngāti Awa

Deputy Clinical Director Māori | Mental Health Services Counties Manukau | Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
Founder and Director | Māori Minds
Trustee | Whau Mental Health Research Foundation

Ko Tūhoe raua ko Ngāti Awa ngā iwi.

No Rūatoki me Te Teko ōku tīpuna.

Kei te noho au ki Tāmaki Makaurau.

Ko Kiri Prentice taku ingoa.

He tākuta hinengaro ahau.

Kiri Prentice is a consultant psychiatrist with extensive experience across various mental health services in the Auckland region, specializing in Māori, adult community, and maternal mental health.

Kiri currently serves as the Deputy Clinical Director Māori in Mental Health and Addiction Services at Counties Manukau. Previously, Kiri held the position of Deputy Chief Medical Officer Māori at Te Pātaka Whaioranga | Pharmac and worked as a Professional Teaching Fellow in the Department of Psychology at the University of Auckland.

Her dedication to advancing mental health research is further demonstrated through her role as a trustee of the Whau Mental Health Research Foundation (formerly the Oakley Mental Health Research Foundation). Kiri was also a key member of the Expert Advisory Group responsible for advising on the repeal and replacement of the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment Act) 1992.

In 2023, she joined Te Whiri Kaha | Māori Clinical Advisory Senate and received the prestigious Pirika Taonga Award from the Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, acknowledging her significant contributions to Māori mental health and addiction in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Kiri’s interests include Te Taiao (nature), hauora Māori, mental health, Māori philosophy, education, and law. She incorporates these passions into her teaching of medical students, psychiatry registrars, and other health professionals. Additionally, Kiri shares educational content through her YouTube channel and website, Māori Minds, further enriching the understanding of Māori mental health and well-being.

Links:

Māori Minds - Exploring Māori Philosophy and Mental Health

Role Call - People on the move and gaining recognition in the health sector

Pharmac announces new Deputy Medical Director Māori

·      Transforming Mental Health

Profile By

Updated 03 December 2024

He Rangatira Our Leaders

Te Ropu Poa

Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Te Rino, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa

Te Rōpu Poa is a visionary leader and dedicated advocate for Māori well-being and self-determination.

Dr Grace Hinepua Walker

Ngāruahine, Ngāti Kahungunu

Dr Grace Hinepua Walker is a data scientist focusing on changing Indigenous narratives by producing data for Indigenous and minority groups as well as commercialising affordable diabetes management devices.

Dr Heather Gifford

Ngāti Hauiti, Te Atihaunui ā Papārangi

What is leadership, and how is it manifest in this competitive world? The challenge to write about Māori leaders is timely.

Zoë Bristowe

Ngāpuhi. Ngāti Porou

Zoë Bristowe is deeply passionate about Māori development and social justice.