Dr Nicolas (Nic) Sinnott

Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa

Dr Nic Sinnott is passionate about reshaping healthcare to better serve Māori communities.

MBChB

Dr Nic Sinnott is driven to transform healthcare systems to uplift and better serve Māori communities.

A proud Māori doctor, a graduate from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB), who is deeply committed to both general practice and Māori health, to remove barriers that prevent communities from accessing vital medical care. 

Nic’s dedication to Māori wellbeing was significantly shaped by his internship with the Māori Health team at the Hawke's Bay DHB, where he recognized the need for healthcare models tailored to community needs. He also previously served as Tumuaki of Te Oranga, the Māori Medical Students’ Association, actively advocating for Māori medical students and hauora Māori within medical education.

Nic's commitment extends beyond clinical practice; he co-founded and taught highly successful Te Reo Māori classes at the University of Otago Medical School, empowering future healthcare professionals with cultural competency essential for effective practice.

Married to Laura Gemmell and father to Pikau, Nic embodies a holistic approach to health that integrates whakapapa, culture, and compassionate care. He continues to inspire as an emerging Māori leader dedicated to creating equitable health outcomes for all.

Links:

University of Otago Article: Ones to Watch: Nic Sinnott 06 August 2021 

Royal Society Te Apārangi: 2017 Powering Potential Presentations Video presentation

Profile By

29 May 2025

He Rangatira Our Leaders

Dr Christine Ngā Hau Elers

Ngāti Kauwhata, Ngāti Kahungunu, Rangitāne ki Wairarapa, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Maniapoto, Ngāti Hauā, Kai Tahu

PhD, LLM with Distinction, LLB, BTchg, BEd

Dr Suzanne Pitama

Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Whare

Professor Suzanne Pitama is an esteemed educational psychologist, researcher, and leader in Māori health education. Her mahi is driven by a relentless pursuit of equity in healthcare, ensuring Māori health perspectives are embedded within medical training, research, and practice.

Jim Hauraki

Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kuri, Waikato, Ngāti Haua

Jim is the current Kaihautū – Chief Executive Officer at Awarua Whānau Services, and he is the first Tane to lead the organisation (he has a 30-year history of Wahine Rangatira at the helm). It is a special honour to be given the opportunity to navigate the pathway forward alongside his Awarua Whanau Services team.

Fay Selby Law

Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga

Throughout her career in health, she has also focused on uplifting the smokefree sector in Manawatu by supporting whānau, particularly wahine and māmā, in becoming smokefree.