He huatau momo atua tonu atu au huanga. E ngākau nui, i runga i ona whakaaro, ko tona kaha, me ona ringa whakangahau, he ranga wairua ki tōna iwi. E te tawhito, ka whakamihi atu ki a koe. E kaha tonu koe ki te akiaki, ki te hāpai ano hoki i te reo ōkawa. Ka noho tuturu tonu te oranga o te reo hei taonga tukuiho ki ngā whakatupuranga e whai ake nei.

As I look at this beautiful picture of “taku tino hoa”, my dear friend and colleague, my whakaaro (thoughts) wander back to the first time I met Moe in 1992. Moe’s first love is her “George” and her incredible whānau (family). She is the fiercely proud mama of her children and tupuna to her increasing number of mokopuna (grandchildren). Moe maintains regular contact with George and her whānau daily, no matter where she is. She will often give advice, direction, and guidance or just check-in. This love and commitment to her whānau continues in the work that she has done over the years.

Moe is qualified in teaching and mental health nursing. She began as a psychopaedic nurse and then moved into mental health nursing. Moe has shared her knowledge and taught many others for several years.

Her work in mental health and addictions has been considerable; she has worked on Ministerial Advisory Committees, the Mental Health Commission Expert Advisory, a board member of the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, works with the national mental health and addictions workforce bodies, e.g. Matua Raḵi and Te Rau Ora, providing expert witness advice to the Privacy Commissioner, and staff working across mental health and addiction services. Moe is a much-valued Kuia in mental health and addiction.

Moe’s knowledge of Māori health, education and research is extensive. She has provided considerable leadership across several national developments in these areas. Moe’s efforts and contributions are numerous and continue today.

Moe is fluent in her te reo (Māori language) and is committed to ensuring that her whānau grasp hold of the values and culture of their ancestors. She is passionate about ensuring that Māori are looked after and cared for with the utmost respect in all the systems she has been involved in, e.g. health, social services, justice, and education.

She is an inspirational leader of Māori development locally, regionally and nationally. She is renowned for her contribution to individuals, families, and communities. An educator, leader of innovation and best practice, a key advisor to the Health and Disability Commissioner, mediator, keynote speaker, author and songwriter.

E te manukura, e te kanohi kitea i runga i ōna marae, i roto i ōna iwi, hapū puta noa i te ao whānui ano hoki. Tēnei te tohaina atu ra ēnei maioha ki a koe.