Tūmanako Tomo

Waikato, Ngati Kauwhata, Ngati Rangitane, Kai Tahu

Hapu: Ngati Mahuta, Ngati Pou, Tahuriwakanui, Rangitepaia, Kati Huirapa

Tūmanako is a teaching fellow at Waipapa Taumata Rau (Auckland University) and works in the  School of Counselling, Human Services, and Social Work. He has over 15 years of experience across the public and private health sectors. This includes working in Kaupapa Māori Mental Health and Youth Forensics services. He strongly advocates for whānau to join health interventions and community programs focusing on better whānau outcomes.

He completed his Master's degree in Applied Indigenous Knowledge and focused on incorporating Māori values such as tikanga, wairua, and whakawhanaungatanga in child mental health services. He now explores how such values can shape social work practices, informed by te ao Māori.

Tūmanako is a part of the St Johns Theological postgraduate team Piri Poho and is under the mentorship of Te Kingi Ihaka Research Centre. He is also a doctoral candidate at Te Whare Wananga O Awanuiarangi.

Tūmanako is a Board Member of Ngā Pou Mana, a National Organisation representing the Māori Allied Health Workforce. Ngā Pou Mana provides a forum for Māori health professionals to discuss Māori health issues with a focus on kaupapa Māori models of practice.

Links:

Te Oro Tapu – Tumanako Tomo

St Johns College Researchers

IAHA & Nga Pou Mana – Proud to be Indigenous Series

He Rangatira Our Leaders

Professor Beverley Lawton's first-hand experiences witnessing preventable harm and death among women have shaped her work in reproductive health, Māori health, addressing inequalities, and conducting Kaupapa Māori research.

Michael Naera

Te Arawa, Ngāti Uenukukōpako, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahungunu

Michael’s leadership to maintain the focus and course to achieve the right thing remains. He tino rangatira tēnei – not only does Michael have the skills and attributes of being an emerging leader, but he also has the mana to be a great leader.

Witi Ashby

Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Kawa

I first met Witi in March 2013 in his role as Kaitakawaenga for the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand (MHF).

Joanne Baxter

Poutini Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō

In 2022, Joanne was appointed the first wāhine Māori Dean of the Dunedin School of Medicine. Working for over 20 years in the Dunedin School of Medicine, Joanne has shown that she is committed to making a real difference in education and health for individuals, whānau and communities through teaching, research, and service.