FRNZCGP, MBChB, BHB, BA, Dip Tchg, Grad Cert Clinical Teaching
Dr Rawiri McKree Jansen's mahi in hauora Māori, at both grassroots and national levels, speaks volumes about his passion for improving equity within New Zealand's health system. He focuses on providing clinical leadership towards Māori health equity as a General Practitioner and Chief Medical Officer for Te Aka Whai Ora (Māori Health Authority).
Formerly a resource teacher of the Māori language, Rawiri completed his medical training at Middlemore Hospital in South Auckland in 2000. For several years, he provided clinical teaching, Te Reo and tikanga Māori programmes for Māori health professionals throughout the country. Rawiri's expertise includes communication services for underserved and vulnerable populations.
As well as having medical training, Rawiri looks at factors outside of the medical centre that can contribute to better health for Māori, including housing, income, education and risk factors. For example, his work looks at how changes to equity in housing and overcrowding issues could significantly contribute to people's well-being.
Rawiri is passionate about community care, and his drive to improve health equity for Māori is apparent through his recent roles as Clinical Director for the National Hauora Coalition - a Primary Healthcare Organisation with 55 clinics serving 220 000 patients and as Clinical Director at South Auckland's Papakura Marae. He has worked on developing school-based health teams in South Auckland, aiming to eliminate rheumatic fever in New Zealand. In addition, he has been Chairman of Te Ataarangi Trust (a national Māori language organisation) and Chairperson of Te Ohu Rata o Aotearoa (Māori Medical Practitioners Association). He also self-published a Māori medical phrase book in 2006.
Rawiri is the Chief Medical Officer for Te Aka Whai Ora, which works to lead and monitor transformational change for hauora, health and wellbeing needs of whānau and the Māori co-leader of the National Māori pandemic group. He is also co-leader of Te Rōpū Whakakaupapa Urutā, which consists of some of the top Māori health experts in the country. The group has worked on delivering information and resources specifically for Māori about the COVID-19 pandemic, including the rollout of the vaccination programme.
Links:
Dr Rawiri Jansen, New Chief Medical Officer for Te Aka Whai Ora | The Māori Health Authority
