E kore e piri te uku ki te rino - clay will not stick to iron

Te Rukutia holds firm to this whakataukī to transform spaces, places and people, helping reveal their unique potential and claim their moemoeā while always moving towards mauri ora.

She is a qualified Kaitiaki in Professional Bi-cultural Supervision, having developed an indigenous applied practice model and framework, “Tatari Ake,” applying this model in leadership, relationships, and strategic thinking.

Te Rukutia is the Pou Whakahaere Matua ki Hāpori General Manager of Community and Wellbeing Services for Raukura Hauora o Tainui, managing the community-based services across ngā rohe o Tainui. This includes Rongoā māori, whānau ora, community health, Addiction (AoD and Gambling) and Mental Health practitioners, peer support, and kaiārahi mobilising to support our whānau realise their potential and claim their tino rangatiratanga.

She previously held roles with PGF Group formerly (The Problem Gambling Foundation) as the Northern regional clinical services and national public health lead while holding the dedicated portfolio of Kaiwhakarite to deliver integrated mana-enhancing and protective services for tāngata whaiora across Aotearoa. Her work is focused on improving well-being by preventing and reducing gambling harm for all whānau.

Te Rukutia is a māmā of two girls working full-time focused on equity and better outcomes for our people. She volunteers time and energy to all things māori alongside her girls and whānau and has had the privilege to be part of the kapa haka rōpū that performed at Te Matatini. The kaupapa Te Rukutia has contributed towards includes co-writing Mana Enhancing Service: A Fresh Approach to Clinical Practice, is a board member of The Health Promotion Forum of NZ, has presented for numerous kaupapa Māori frameworks, kaitiakitanga and Mana Enhancing practice at multiple Cutting Edge conferences, Addiction Leadership conferences, Te Rau Ora Patikitiki Māori frameworks symposium to name a few. Te Rukutia has been involved with the Gambling Harm minimisation sector; they have provided insights into local news articles, radio interviews, public policy, and research projects.

Te Rukutia has supported tāngata Whaiora towards mauri ora, reconnecting to whānau and culture since 2002. She is active in her hapū, from grassroots to seeking redress from the Crown. She has also contributed to establishing integrated kaupapa Māori trauma-informed interventions for women and youth service “Te Mana Wāhine – The Unique Power of Women” for the Department of Corrections NZ, receiving the Silver Award for her contributions.

Links:

Te Rukutia Tongaawhikau | Public Health lead at PGF Group (Problem Gambling Foundation)

PGF Services National

CDS Press - Mana enhancing service: A fresh approach to clinical practice

·        Huia Tāngata Kōtahi – Unite the People Wānanga Series 2023