Dr Peta Ruha is driven by a desire to give back to the whanau through her mahi in the health sector. She has worked in 25 different mental health sectors and recently returned to Kawerau, where she was raised.

Dr. Peta Ruha is working through her consultancy, Te Tae Awatea, following her recent resignation as Chief Executive of Tūwharetoa ki Kawerau Hauora. Appointed as Tumuwhakarae (Chief Executive) in 2022, Peta brought her extensive expertise to lead the delivery of health, education, and social services for the Kawerau community and the wider Eastern Bay of Plenty region.

Peta previously held the role of Principle Clinical Advisor for the office of the Directorate of Mental Health at the Ministry of Health, where she used her experience in the health sector to make a difference strategically to improve service delivery for Māori. Her focus is to provide Māori mental health service delivery models that reflect the needs of whānau.

Peta is also the Clinical Advisor to the Bay of Plenty District Health Board on the Suicide Prevention Postvention Action Plan. Her priority is to give the power back to the rangatahi to have a voice so initiatives are relevant to them. She has written about her work in the North Island on suicide prevention and post-vention, with a specific focus on the role whanau play in suicide.

Peta has gained a postgraduate diploma in applied science from Te Kunenga Ki Pūrehuroa Massey University, focusing on advanced mental health nursing, co-existing disorders and family therapy. In 2011, she moved to Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi to complete her Masters in Indigenous studies, which focused on kaupapa Māori theory as an evidence-based practice. 

She has also completed a spring semester at Berkeley University with the Goldman School of Social Policy, where she studied at the faculty of social work specialising in mental health. She then went on to gain her PhD in philosophy of Indigenous studies from Te Whare Wananga O Awanuiarangi.

Links:

Meet Peta Ruha, Principle Clinical Advisor to the Office of the Directorate of Mental Health & Addiction Services with Ministry of Health

Integration Māori perspective

Berkley - ILSP Alumni

Youth taking a role in suicide prevention

Minister of Health in Whakatāne to announce new parental service

Te Kaunihera o ngā Neehi Māori – Hui ā Tau

Te Mauri the life force – Rangatahi suicide report