Gloria Sheridan is a dynamic advocate for whānau Māori with lived experience in hauora hinengaro (mental health). Her work is grounded in the principles of manaakitanga and rangatiratanga, ensuring that the voices of Māori whānau are central to national health and social policy discussions.

Gloria’s leadership journey reflects her deep commitment to Māori health and well-being, her roles include:

• Pouwhakahaere, Te Kete Pounamu Gloria serves as the interim Pouwhakahaere for Te Kete Pounamu, a national collective for Māori with lived experience in mental health. In this role, she leads efforts to amplify the voices of Māori communities, advocating for their inclusion in decisions that impact health and social services.
• Founding Member, Inaugural Māori National Lived Experience Rōpū, Te Kete Pounamu  As a founding member, Gloria has been instrumental in establishing Te Kete Pounamu as a platform for Māori with lived experience to engage in shaping policies and frameworks that reflect their realities and aspirations.
• Member, Te Manawa Taki (Midland) Regional Consumer Council, Te Whatu Ora  In her role with the Te Manawa Taki Consumer Council, Gloria ensures that regional health decisions uphold equity and align with Māori values and perspectives.
• Member, Te Hiringa Kounga (HQSC) Māori Advisory Committee  Gloria’s contributions to the Health Quality & Safety Commission’s Māori Advisory Committee reflect her commitment to enhancing health equity and ensuring Māori well-being is prioritized in national strategies.

Gloria actively supports Te Kete Pounamu representatives across seven regions of Aotearoa.[MW1] . Her efforts focus on encouraging, growing, and strengthening the Māori lived experience community. Through her leadership, she ensures that whānau voices are heard in key discussions about health and social policy.

Gloria’s expertise is supported by her educational background and extensive professional development, equipping her to navigate complex health systems and advocate effectively for Māori well-being.

Gloria Sheridan’s work embodies the essence of Te Ao Māori, emphasizing the importance of collective action and inclusion. Her advocacy ensures that whānau Māori with lived experience have a seat at the table in shaping the future of Aotearoa’s health and social systems. Gloria’s legacy is one of empowerment and transformation, paving the way for equitable and culturally grounded health services.

Links:

Waka Hourua Community Initiative: Te Kupenga Net Trust