Phyllis Tangitu has been a trailblazer in Māori health, with 33 years of service at Lakes District Health Board (DHB), where she provided leadership and support in Māori Health and Māori Mental Health and Addictions.

Currently, Phyllis is the Mana Whakahaere (Group Director Equity and Māori) at Ka Puta Ka Ora Emerge Aotearoa. In this role, she is guiding the organization to become a Tangata Tiriti organisation and leads the Māori POU initiative, "Māori Succeeding as Māori," while serving as the overall Māori lead for the organisation.

Phyllis’s influence extends across governance and leadership roles:

Mental Health Review Tribunal NZ (Ministerial Appointment)

The Governance board for Te Tāhū Hauora (Health Quality and Safety Commission - HQSC)

Platform (National Peak Body for the NGO sector),

Mental Health and Addictions Leaders Forum, and

a member of Te Kaunihera Royal Australia New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP).

A passionate advocate for Māori health, Phyllis epitomises manaakitanga in her leadership, ensuring all relationships enhance and uphold the mana of others. Her empathetic approach is rooted in personal experience, as the daughter of a father who spent time in Tokanui Psychiatric Hospital, and her commitment to improving outcomes for Māori remains unwavering.

Phyllis is also a well-known kapa haka leader and an active member of Tūhourangi, Ngāti Wāhiao Kapa Haka, supporting her whānau through fundraising, cooking, and other contributions. She balances these responsibilities with her leadership roles, always prioritising the well-being of her community.

Her tenure at Lakes DHB saw significant growth in Māori participation in health services and an increase in Māori knowledge around mental health. Phyllis was instrumental in establishing paid kaumātua support roles, a model that inspired other DHBs. Under her guidance, Lakes DHB built strong relationships with iwi and integrated tikanga Māori into their practices.

Phyllis’s leadership continues to inspire and uplift, driven by her commitment to manaakitanga, equity, and the betterment of Māori health. She is an aspirational leader whose contributions leave an enduring impact on all who have the privilege of working alongside her.

Phyllis’s will continue to lead and will always remain a proud partner to Wi, Mama, and Nanny.

Mauri Ora

Links:

Platform Board Member – Phyllis Tangitu

National Science Challenges Researcher Phyllis Tangitu

Te Whatu Ora Lakes farewells Aunty Phyllie