Emma Wehipeihana

Ngāti Tukorehe, Ngāti Porou

Dr Emma Wehipeihana is an award-winning writer, podcaster and political commentator. Combining expertise in medicine and accessible writing, she shares information on the experience of Māori in New Zealand's healthcare system.

Many people who enter the medical profession spend their entire lives aspiring to do so. For Emma, it hadn't crossed her mind until she realised that one day she would have to explain to her child what she had dedicated her life to.

Having studied through the Māori and Pacific Admissions Scheme, she was inspired by her teachers, mentors, and fellow students, including lecturers Papaarangi Reid, Elana Curtis, and Rhys Jones. Not only did she acquire technical skills from their lectures, but they also shared a "path to follow" to advance Māori health and wellness.

After graduating and working as a surgical registrar at Middlemore Hospital, she continues to incorporate their ideas on how indigenous health equity can be achieved.  Emma continues to write and produce content, but now her focus is on the challenges, experiences, and hopes within medicine.

She lives in Tāmaki Makaurau with her mother and daughter. Her first book is the bestselling memoir There’s a Cure for This, published by Penguin Random House in 2023.

Links:

Newsroom articles – Emma Espiner

Doctor and political commentator Emma Espiner on her journey to finding purpose

Emma Espiner: a life less ordinary

Podcast: Getting better – A year in the life of a Māori medical student

Dr Emma Espiner speaks from the heart as a Māori doctor

Hāpai te Hauora

He Rangatira Our Leaders

Dr Hinemoa Elder FRANZCP, PhD, MNZM

Te Aupōuri, Ngāti Kuri, Te Rarawa, Ngāi Tākoto, Ngāpuhi nui tonu

She attributes her success to ‘hard work, determination, and being able to draw from her Māori heritage, synthesising meaning from an indigenous perspective’.

Chris Webber

Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Te Āti Awa

Having a strong value base, being committed to what they mean and never giving up also supports Chris in actualising his aspirations.

Hon Dame Tariana Turia MNZM

NGĀTI KURI, TE RARAWA, TE AUPŌURI, NGĀPUHI

Few people can deal with pressing problems in the present and, simultaneously build platforms relevant to the future. Tariana Turia has shown how both are possible. Well before entering Parliament, she fostered community cohesion and responsiveness to adversity and disadvantage. She did so in a manner that led to strong, sustainable leadership within her whānau, hapū and iwi and helped generate greater awareness for health and the positive roles communities might play.

Kiriana Bird

Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Tukorehe

Dr Kiriana Bird is passionate about health, equity and Māori wellbeing.