Grant Berghan

Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai, Te Rarawa

According to Grant, public health is at a critical juncture. Resolving the existential challenges before us requires more than the polite discourse and liberal hand-wringing that has been a feature of the sector recently – we need a radically courageous public health sector ready to take a stand on many issues. New Zealand’s global leadership during Covid 19 should serve as an inspiration. It’s time to apply that leadership to issues like poverty, homelessness, racism, and the other socio-economic factors affecting health.

Most recently, Grant has been a public health lead at Te Aka Whai Ora, the CEO of the Public Health Association of New Zealand (PHANZ), and a co-facilitator (with Tania Hodges) of Maori leadership programmes throughout Aotearoa.  

During his tenure at PHANZ, he oversaw a co-governance arrangement that gave Te Tiriti o Waitangi practical effect.  Grant also had the opportunity to speak at the World Health Promotion Conference in December 2021 and co-hosted the CPAG Post Budget Breakfast events, where he shared his knowledge and expertise with indigenous health leaders.

Additionally, Grant is involved with STIR, an organisation that constitutes a nationwide network of public health professionals and activists committed to eradicating institutional racism within the administration of the public health sector.

Links:

Health Coalition Aotearoa board member profile

Stop Institutionalised Racism – Team member

Digital Indigenous – Grant Berghan profile

Te Tiriti o Waitangi-based practice in health promotion

He Rangatira Our Leaders

Ruatau Perez

Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāpuhi

Ruatau Perez is passionate about sharing his knowledge of Whare Wānanga, guided by his own Tūpuna to share an indigenous worldview of health and well-being for modern-day living.

Dr Wayne Ngata

Te Aitanga a Hauiti, Ngāti Ira, Ngāti Porou

Wayne Ngata is a strong supporter of the revitalisation of te reo Māori and education models that are underpinned by Māori processes.

Willie Jackson

Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Porou

Willie Jackson comes from a renowned family of activists who have worked tirelessly to advance the rights of poorly paid workers while exposing social injustice on many levels, using Māori matters as a touch stone.

Jade Sewell

Ngāti Maru, Te Arawa, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāti Porou

Jade works to drive transformation and innovation within the current health system so that the hauora aspirations of communities are realised.