Whakapapa
Te Arawa te Waka
Ngati Whaakaue te Iwi
Ngati Karenga te hapu
Te Koutu te marae
Ngongotaha te maunga
Te Rotorua -Nuiakahumatamomoe te roto
Te Utuhina te awa
Ko te Whanau Kingi, Taekata te tangata
Ko Haehaetu Barrett Jnr ahau
Haehaetu Barrett is a visionary leader in Māori health, specialising in mental health and addictions, and currently serves as Chief Executive of Lifewise Aotearoa. With over 30 years of experience, Haehaetu brings a unique blend of clinical expertise, strategic leadership, business development, and a deep commitment to iwi partnerships, rooted in her identity and whakapapa.
Raised in Te Koutu, Rotorua, Haehaetu’s career spans from frontline work in A&E to a leading figure in social work and Māori health, embodying resilience and advocacy. Her qualifications, including a Bachelor of Social Work and a Business Management degree, have underpinned her transformative approach to leadership.
In 2022, Haehaetu was appointed Chief Executive of Lifewise, overseeing crucial social services across Auckland and the Bay of Plenty. Known for her direct, mana-enhancing leadership, she has championed equitable solutions from tamariki to kaumatua, embodying the principles of mana motuhake in every endeavor.
Her leadership style came to the fore in 2022 when she spearheaded the closure of Four Canoes, an unsuitable emergency housing facility in Rotorua. This led to a Transitional Housing contract, providing safe, stable housing for whānau—a testament to her belief that holistic well-being starts with secure housing.
A semi-finalist for Kiwi Bank’s 2023 New Zealander of the Year, Haehaetu's influence extends beyond organisational leadership to policy change, as seen in her co-chairing of the National Māori Housing Conference. Her work addresses the root causes of homelessness, advocating for systemic change to create a fairer future for all.
A dedicated speaker, Haehaetu shares insights on indigenous well-being, mental health, Māori Hauora, and homelessness at national and international forums. Her teams, often comprising individuals with lived experience, reflect her commitment to grounding policies in real-world needs.
A proud mother and grandmother, she is a role model for whānau, hapū, and iwi, demonstrating how culturally aligned, empathetic leadership can inspire societal change and uplift marginalised communities.
Links:
Lifewise: Haehaetu Barrett makes Top 10 for New Zealander of the Year 13 December 2023
Housing First Auckland – Haehaetu Brrett profile
Haehaetu Barrett | Lifewise Chief Executive
Haehaetu Barrett makes Top 10 for New Zealander of the Year
Haehaetu Barrett – Housing First Auckland
Beating the stigma of limited vision: Why Haehaetu is sharing her story now
3 April 2025
