Lucinda Cassin

Ngāti Maniapoto

Lucinda is dedicated to uplifting whānau voices and advancing culturally responsive care within mental health and addiction services across Aotearoa.

With a strong academic foundation, Lucinda holds a Master of Indigenous Studies from Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, a Bachelor of Bicultural Social Work and a Postgraduate Diploma in Bicultural Supervision from Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.

Her career spans clinical and cultural supervision roles in both government and non-government sectors, where she provides support in culturally safe environments.

As National Clinical Director of Oranga Hinengaro at Te Aka Whai Ora, Lucinda led initiatives to address the hauora and well-being needs of whānau Māori, striving to bring transformational change to mental health services.

However, following the disestablishment of Te Aka Whai Ora in April 2024 and its integration into Te Whatu Ora’s Hauora Māori Services, Lucinda chose to resign in October 2024, seeking alignment with her values and a return to grassroots-level support.

In early 2023, Lucinda founded her own organisation Ka Hikitia, where she is the Executive Director, focusing on enhancing community resilience and well-being through targeted programs and direct support.

Her vision remains deeply rooted in supporting whānau, hapū, iwi, and hapori, addressing the overrepresentation of Māori in high-risk spaces and continuing her commitment to culturally empowered mental health care across Aotearoa.

Links:

Bringing Addiction sector leaders together in Ōtautahi

Ka Hikitia Consultancy

Lucinda Cassin

 

Profile By

Updated 07 November 2024

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’.

Tuari Potiki

Ngāi Tahu, Kāti Mamoe, Waitaha

Tuari Potiki exemplifies leadership. His lived experience has been an asset in his career and personal development, and he has moved beyond recovery into a space that is about living life well.

Naomi Manu

Rangitāne, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa

Naomi Manu is a dedicated champion of Māori and rangatahi development. Known for establishing the Pūhoro STEM Academy, she has transitioned to Auraki Group Limited to focus on workforce development gaps beyond those the Pūhoro kaupapa designed to address.

Gloria Sheridan

Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi, Te Whānau a Āpanui, Whakatōhea, , Ngati Kahungunu, Rongowhakaata

Gloria Sheridan, first and foremost, is a Māori wāhine, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, and mokopuna with strong connections to Te Tairāwhiti. She is passionate about advocating equity and choice for Māori to counter the ideologies of the current Western medical system