Teresa Wall has dedicated her career to ensuring equitable health outcomes for Māori, driving policy reforms, and strengthening the Māori health sector. With over 30 years of experience, she has shaped public health strategies, supported kaupapa Māori health services, and influenced national policy.
Her journey began as a renal nurse, but her commitment to systemic change led her to a leadership role as Deputy Director General, Māori Health, at the Ministry of Health, providing strategic direction and policy oversight. She later served as Deputy Director General of Policy and Strategy reinforcing her influence on the broader health system.
Teresa has been a key voice in Māori health governance, serving in leadership roles across multiple boards and organisations. Her expertise in equity, service delivery, and public health policy has been sought after by numerous health and research entities, as follows:
- Chair, Dementia Mate Wareware Advisory and Leadership Group New Zealand Dementia Foundation – Leading efforts to improve dementia and mate wareware services for Māori.
- Board Member, Alzheimer’s NZ supporting services for Māori with mate wareware
- Board Member, Primary and Community Healthcare Aotearoa (previously known as Federation of Primary Health Aotearoa New Zealand) – Driving equitable primary healthcare strategies.
- Chair, Māori Partnership Board, Capital & Coast District Health Board (now Te Whatu Ora Capital, Coast & Hutt Valley) – Advocating for Māori health representation in the health system.
- Board member (previous Chair) of Ora Toa Primary Health Organisation – Strengthening kaupapa Māori primary healthcare services.
- Trustee, Whakamātūtū – The Depression Recovery Centre – Supporting mental health services rooted in Te Ao Māori.
Teresa played a pivotal role in shaping the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022, which restructured Aotearoa’s health system to prioritise Māori health equity. She has been a trusted advisor to successive governments, influencing the development of Te Aka Whai Ora (Māori Health Authority) and championing policy solutions to address long-standing health disparities.
She has contributed to research and advocacy on:
- Māori health system reform – Ensuring Māori-led solutions in policy design.
- Public health communication – Engaging with communities to enhance Māori health literacy.
- Māori workforce development – Supporting pathways for Māori into the health and disability sector
- Māori Oral Health – supporting the development of a viable Māori oral health sector
Her leadership was critical during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she supported Māori-led health initiatives and pushed for targeted government funding to address health inequities.
Beyond governance, Teresa remains committed to mentoring emerging Māori health leaders and ensuring kaupapa Māori approaches guide health service delivery.
Her voice continues to shape public health research, service design, and policy development, ensuring future generations inherit a more just and effective health system.
Links:
Waatea News Audio: Teresa Wall I Federation of Primary Health Aotearoa New Zealand Board Member Takeaways from The National Iwi Māori Partnership Annual Conference. 8 July 2024
A Whakawhanaungatanga Māori wellbeing model for housing and urban environments Kōtuitui: New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences Article 25 January 2024
Teresa Wall | Māori Health Consultant. Two major reviews have led to the legislation the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 which came into effect on July 1, 2022 signalling substantial changes to the health system in Aotearoa NZ. Waatea News Audio: 6 September 2023.
Teresa Wall | Māori Health Consultant Maori Health inequities Waatea News Audio: 5 September 2023.
Research Gate Publications – Teresa Wall
Alzheimers New Zealand Board Vice -Chair
Health Status of Prisoners 2005 Survey University of Otago (YouTube) Teresa Wall
Dementia-Mate-Wareware-Action-Plan- September 2021
New Zealand Herald: Where do the political parties stand on addressing Māori health inequity? 5 September 2023
14 April 2025
