Ten Whānau Ora Regional Leadership Groups have been established around the country based on Te Puni Kōkiri regional boundaries.
Their role is to provide regional strategic leadership to ensure whānau-centred initiatives contribute in positive and realistic ways to local communities.
They do this by fostering local communications and relationships and ensuring there is co-ordination with other local and regional initiatives and services.
Members include between three and seven community representatives and three officials – one each from Te Puni Kōkiri, the Ministry of Social Development and local District Health Boards.
They come from diverse backgrounds and have expertise and skills in health and social services, whānau development and community development.
The chairs of the Whānau Ora Regional Leadership Groups – standing, back row, from left to right: Hon Mahara Okeroa (former chair – Te Whanganui ā Tara); Tania Hodges (co-chair – Waikato); Jo Mane (chair – Te Tai Tokerau); Peter Ellison (member – Te Waipounamu); Lois McCarthy-Robinson (chair – Te Tairāwhiti); Peter Thomas (interim chair – Tāmaki Makaurau). Seated, from left to right: Te Huia (Bill) Hamilton (chair – Te Tai Hauāuru); Christine Teariki (chair – Takitimu); Elaine Tapsell (chair – Te Moana ā Toi); and Merepeka Raukawa-Tait (deputy chair – Te Arawa)
Jo Mane (chair); Solomon Tipene; La-Verne King; Deborah Harding; Robyn Rusher (Ministry of Social Development); Walter Wells (Te Puni Kōkiri); Karen Roach (Northland District Health Board)
Peter Thomas (interim chair); Lorna Dyall; Robyn Rusher (Ministry of Social Development); Pauline Kingi (Te Puni Kōkiri); Auckland District Health Board representative to be announced
Harry Mikaere (co-chair); Tania Hodges (co-chair); Denise Messiter; Aroha Terry; Piritata Kirkwood; Stephanie Palmer; Pat Seymour; Te Rehia Papesch (Ministry of Social Development); Gail Campbell (Te Puni Kōkiri); Ditre Tamatea (Waikato District Health Board)
Elaine Tapsell (chair); Maanu Paul; Vervies (Punohu) McCausland; Aporina Chapman; Te Iria Whiu; Peter Waru (Ministry of Social Development); Rachel Jones (Te Puni Kōkiri); Janet McLean (Bay of Plenty District Health Board)
Toby Curtis (chair); Piki Thomas; Merepeka Raukawa-Tait; Jacob (Hakopa) Paul; Emily Rameka; Danny Morehu; Jenny Douthwaite (Ministry of Social Development); Wally Tangohau (Te Puni Kōkiri); Phyllis Tangitu (Lakes District Health Board)
Lois McCarthy-Robinson (chair); Owen Lloyd; Manu Caddie; Te Pare Meihana; Dr Apirana Mahuika; Hine Flood; Jane Hopkinson (Ministry of Social Development); Mere Pohatu (Te Puni Kōkiri); Jim Green (Tairāwhiti District Health Board)
Christine Teariki (chair); Amber Logan; Maureen Mua; Yvette Grace; Annie Aranui (Ministry of Social Development); Roger Aranui (Te Puni Kōkiri); Tracee Te Huia (Hawke’s Bay District Health Board)
Te Huia (Bill) Hamilton (chair); Richard Steedman; Karen (Wheturangi) Walsh-Tapiata; William Edwards; Gloria Campbell (Ministry of Social Development); Sam Bishara (Te Puni Kōkiri); Julie Patterson (Whanganui District Health Board)
Susan Shingleton (interim chair); Sharon Gemmell; Brenton Tukapua; Melissa Cragg; Tony Moore (Ministry of Social Development); Hata Wilson (Te Puni Kōkiri); Kuini Puketapu (Hutt Valley District Health Board)
Gabrielle Huria (chair); Mere Wallace; Ruth Jones; Peter Ellison; Denise Kidd (Ministry of Social Development); David Ormsby (Te Puni Kōkiri); Hector Matthews (Canterbury District Health Board)
Last modified: 11/05/2012
