Dr Maria Baker

Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa

Dr Maria Baker, PhD, has gained over 20 years of expertise in healthcare, mental health, and social care workforce development for Māori.

She earned her PhD in Māori Health, focusing on Māori nursing workforce development and suicide prevention. She is also a registered nurse, holds many mental health and nursing qualifications and has been in advisory roles to help healthcare better address the health needs of Iwi and whānau.

Throughout her research and mahi, she focuses on the question: will it benefit and strengthen Māori? This has led her to work on kaupapa in Māori health and social workforce development, Māori organisational advancement, antiracism, Māori nursing workforce development, and Māori suicide prevention. Her goals are led by the needs of communities and her personal experiences.

From 2007 to 2023, Maria played a critical role in the development, growth, and success of Te Rau Ora. Within her work, she focused on strengthening health and wellbeing by collaborating and facilitating the Māori collective. Her passion and commitment to kaupapa inspired many to pursue the best possible outcomes for whānau.

In 2023, Maria was appointed as the new CEO of Te Hiku Hauora, the largest health provider of primary healthcare services in the Far North. She will provide value with her expertise in understanding the importance of community and care for all patients.

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He Rangatira Our Leaders

Dr Dianne Wepa

Ngāti Kahungunu

He toka tūmoana he ākinga nā ngā tai

A standing rock in the sea, lashed by the tides (Kawharu, 2008)

Dr. Curtis Walker, MBChB, FRACP

Te Whakatōhea, Ngāti Porou

Dr. Curtis Walker is a leading advocate for Māori health equity, a practising nephrologist (kidney specialist), and a transformative figure in medical governance in Aotearoa.

Boyd Broughton

Te Rarawa, Ngā Puhi, Tainui, Ngāti Porou - Born in Auckland, raised in Hokianga

Since 2003, when Boyd Broughton began his career in health with Hāpai te Hauora, he has supported te ao Māori within health services through various roles in NGOs, government agencies, tertiary institutions, local councils, Marae Committees, and other community groups.

Mere Balzer

Tūhourangi, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Ranginui, Maniapoto

As a leader Mere surrounds herself with people from all walks of life. Mere utilises their skills to accelerate Māori aspirations to lessen the health disparities among Māori.