Tracey Potiki is an experienced project manager and a dedicated advocate for whānau experiencing alcohol and other drug (AOD) harm. Over the course of more than 20 years, she has tirelessly worked to bring about positive changes and influence better care pathways for whānau, hapū, and iwi.
With a background in Kaupapa Māori environments, Tracey is driven by the conviction that existing systems perpetuating unequal advantages across societal segments are inherently unjust and unacceptable. She strongly advocates for increased integration of Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles into structures, systems, and policies, recognising their potential to create new pathways for empowering and uplifting whānau Māori to pursue their aspirations of oranga.
Part of her motivation is grounded in her personal recovery experience from addiction and years of trying to get support from AOD treatment services for herself and her extended whānau members. This gives Tracey an insight and understanding of what a more compassionate AOD care approach should look like for whānau Māori. Tracey is passionate about whanau-appropriate, culturally driven and culturally safe AOD interventions and challenging the things that don’t enable this to occur.
Currently serving as the Kaiwhakahaere at Whare Tukutuku, the National Māori Addiction Centre within the korowai of Te Rau Ora, Tracey leads innovation through Whare Tukutuku which aims to create a future for AOD workforce that is whānau-centred community-focused, to improve Māori health outcomes.
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