Ko Whangatauatia te maunga

Ko Karirikura te moana

Ko Te Ohaki te Marae

Ko Te Rarawa, ko Nga Puhi oku Iwi

Ko Ngati Pakahi, me Nga Uri Waka Tinana te hapu

Ko Pauline Allan-Downs toku ingoa. 

Pauline Allan-Downs is a dedicated advocate for Māori health and wellbeing, a registered nurse, and a trailblazer in the healthcare sector. She is a member of Te Rarawa and Ngā Puhi iwi, with strong connections to her hapū, Ngāti Pakahi and Ngā Uri Waka Tinana. Pauline’s upbringing and values, rooted in Whangatauatia, Karirikura, and her marae, Te Ohaki, have informed her career and leadership.

Pauline began her career as a practitioner and educator, providing clinical supervision and professional development for nurses and smoking cessation practitioners in the community. She founded ‘Smoke-free Nurses New Zealand,’ a pioneering initiative with nurses encouraging their patients to stop smoking, that continues to improve health outcomes today. Pauline remains an advisor for the programme, ensuring its continued relevance and impact.

Pauline has contributed extensively to governance roles in the health sector. She served as an elected member of the Northland District Health Board, where her advocacy for nurses and Māori women brought vital perspectives to governance decisions. Pauline is known for representing Māori views and aspirations at the governance table, ensuring Māori voices are heard and considered.

Pauline previously held the Co-Chair position for the Māori Advisory Group, Te Roopu Manaaki, for Sports Northland, where she adeptly integrated tikanga Māori into organisational frameworks. Her contributions extend to numerous other organisations, consistently improving the quality of life for New Zealanders through her dedication to health and wellbeing.

Pauline’s current interests reflect her ongoing commitment to holistic health and Māori values. She is studying Rongoā Māori (traditional healing) with Māori nurses, Flinch Lock Release Therapy for bone pressure, and Bioptron Hyperlight technology.

In addition to her professional achievements, Pauline is the president of the Māori Women’s Welfare League branch in Whangārei, where she continues her work empowering wāhine Māori. Living entirely off the grid with solar, wind, and generator power, Pauline embodies the values of sustainability and self-sufficiency.

Her leadership, lived experiences, and commitment to Māori health and wellbeing have left an indelible mark on the healthcare sector, particularly in Northland. Pauline Allan-Downs’ work serves as an inspiring legacy and a testament to the importance of integrating tikanga Māori into all facets of life and health.

Pauline remains active in the community by being on the following groups:

• Northland District Health Board: 
• Elected Member, advocating for nurses and Māori women.
• Te Roopu Manaaki, Sports Northland: Co-Chair, integrating tikanga Māori into organisational frameworks.
• Māori Women’s Welfare League: President, Whangārei Branch.
• Founder and Advisor, Smoke-free Nurses New Zealand.

Pauline Allan-Downs exemplifies leadership rooted in whānau, community, and cultural integrity, consistently striving for equity and better health outcomes for Māori.  Pauline continues to lead with ongoing studies in Rongoā Māori, Flinch Lock Release Therapy, and Bioptron Hyperlight technology.