He Rangatira Leaders

Recognised for their contributions, service, vision, dedication and expertise towards constructive change and improvement to Māori health. We invite you to explore the Maori leaders who influence and contribute to Māori health and wellbeing.

Be inspired. Aspire.

Kia mau ki te aka matua, te toi huarewa o ngā tūpuna

Hold fast to the wisdom of your ancestors

It is an honour to be asked to write this bio for my good friend Keri, a respected and renowned Māori leader.

Jean Te Huia (Ngāti Kahungunu) is a well-known advocate for Māori health, particularly maternal and child health.

He is a stabilising presence, a reference point, a rock. He has mastered the delicate balance of impelling and empowering people to stand on their own two feet, not only when things are going well but also during the most difficult moments in life.

Lance O’Sullivan is and has been my mentor for the past five years. Lance’s best qualities for me as his mentee is his ability to be enthusiastic, passionate and his drive to complete a job.

Te Poa Karoro (Paul) Morgan is a modern Māori leader advancing his people into a more positive future carrying their history with them.

Michelle has continued to advocate for Māori in psychology throughout her career and is currently the claimant for the Waitangi Tribunal Wai2725 Psychology in Aotearoa claim, which challenges the failure of the crown and its agencies to ensure Māori access to and participation in psychology.

Passionate about quality Māori mental health and addiction services, innovative workforce programmes, solutions-focused and absolutely determined are the words that first come to mind about Louise.

Lisa is driven by her passion for working with tamariki and rangatahi and utilising narrative therapy deriving from our mātauranga Māori knowledge base.

I first came to know Megan as her external peer supervisor when she enrolled to do a Master’s Degree.

He Rangatira Leaders

Dr Ruth Herd

Te Ātiawa ki Taranaki, Ngāti Mutunga

Dr Keri Lawson-Te Aho, PhD (Psychology)

Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Wairoa, Ngāti Pāhauwera, Rongomaiwahine, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Porou, Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Samoan, Tahitian, Rarotongan, Native American (Blackfeet), McLaren clan (Scotland), Classen clan (Norway).

Kataraina Jean Te Huia

Ngāti Kahungunu

Wikepa Keelan

Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungungu, Rongomaiwahine

Dr Lance O’Sullivan

Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Maru

Te Poa Karoro (Paul) Morgan

Ngāti Rarua, Te Ātiawa, Ngā Puhi

Dr Michelle Levy

Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Mahuta

Louise Ihimaera

Whānau-ā-Kai, Ngāti Kahungungu, Whakatohea, Ngāti Porou

Lisa Cherington

Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi, Ngāpuhi

Megan Tahere

Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi te Rangi, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Whātua, Ngāpuhi