Ko Whiria te maunga
Ko Hokianga Whakapau Karakia te moana
Ko Nga Tokimatawhaora te waka
Ko aku hapu - ko Ngati Wharara, Ngati Korokoro me te Pouka
Ko Maraeroa ki Pakanae, ko Te Whakarongotai ki Kokohuia, ko Kaiwaha ki Waiwhatawhata oku marae
Ko Ngapuhi te iwi, te taha o te Mama, te taha o te Papa, he Tatimana ia
Ko Margareth Broodkoorn taku ingoa
Margareth Broodkoorn has over 30 years of experience as a Nurse and is acknowledged for her extensive contributions to Māori health, nursing leadership, and health equity. She is proud to be a New Zealand Registered Nurse with a career that includes clinical practice, leadership, operational management, strategic, governance and education roles across Aotearoa.
Of Ngāpuhi and Dutch whakapapa, Margareth began her nursing journey at Greenlane Hospital in Auckland, completing her nursing education in 1990. Her bicultural heritage has profoundly influenced her commitment to integrating Māori perspectives within the healthcare system.
Throughout her career, Margareth has been actively involved in various professional bodies, including the National Council of Māori Nurses, and the College of Nurses Aotearoa. Her work consistently emphasises the importance of culturally safe practices and the integration of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in healthcare.
Academically she has led the Kawa Whakaruruhau component of nursing education at Manukau Institute of Technology and the University of Auckland as a senior nursing lecturer. She is passionate that nurses can make a significant difference in achieving equity in health outcomes across Aotearoa by working as a sustainable, future-focused proud and unified nursing workforce.
As the Director of Nursing and Midwifery with Northland DHB, Margareth worked alongside a dynamic Māori nursing leadership team to champion the Manukura o Āpopo workforce programme, fostering leadership development through initiatives like leadership training, ePortfolios, and competency frameworks.
Margareth was proud of the mahi that nursing leaders across Te Tai Tokerau achieved by developing an inspirational, Northland Nursing Strategy that supported nurses to work to their top of scope and significantly increased the number of Nurse Practitioners across Northland.
Margareth made history as New Zealand’s first Māori Chief Nursing Officer. In this role, she led the Ministry of Health’s infection prevention and control team during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing critical guidance on personal protective equipment across the health and disability sectors.
She chaired the Well Child Tamariki Ora advisory group and oversaw initiatives during the International Year of the Nurse in 2020. She also worked with the MOH’s Chief Medical Officer on the surgical mesh consultation with people affected by surgical mesh complications.
Returning to her roots, Margareth proudly now leads Hauora Hokianga, the charitable health Trust in Hokianga, Te Tai Tokerau, fulfilling her life-long aspiration to return home and serve her community directly.
In 2022, Margareth was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for her services to health and Māori communities. She expressed that this honour reflects the collective efforts of her whānau and colleagues.
Utilising her extensive background and experience of the health sector, Margareth continues to influence health outcomes within rural environments. Recently appointed as chair of Te Ropu Arahi – in partnership with the Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network Board, Margareths sector knowledge and years of experience is assisting in influencing and elevating the reality of rurality.
One of Margareth’s key reference point in her career as a health professional, are the powerful kupu originating from Parihaka, and reiterated in Dr Ranginui Walkers publication – “Ka whawhai tonu mātou” – struggle without end. No matter what, the mahi continues as we continually strive for equity of health outcomes for our whanau.”
Links:
Ms Mathilda Broodkoorn-Queen’s Birthday and Platinum Jubilee Honours 2022
Nurse Practitioners New Zealand - Conference 2019 Evolution
First Māori Chief Nurse Comes From Northland
Queen's Birthday Honours: Nurse Margareth Broodkoorn ONZM humbled by recognition 6 June 2022
8 June 2025
