Talofa Lava, my name is Johanna Nee-Nee and I am a newly graduated junior doctor at Wellington Hospital. I was born and raised in Auckland, then was fortunate enough to receive the Maori and Pacific Island Entrance scholarship for Otago university where I completed Medical School. I am passionate about encouraging and supporting young wahine wanting to get into the medical profession!

Kia ora, my name is Ana and I am a Director in the Hauora practice at PwC. I am also a third year student completing a Professional Doctorate in Health. I have a background in Policy and Law and have previously worked as Chief Advisor Māori Health, Ministry of Health, and as a Health Advisor in Parliament to an Associate Minister of Health. I have been very fortunate to be involved in some high profile mahi, including the Wai 2575 Kaupapa Health Inquiry, the Health and Disability System Review, COVID 19 Vaccine and Immunisation Programme, and will begin shortly on the PHARMAC Review. I was born and bred in the King Country, Aotearoa.

Kia ora, ko Ranei Wineera-Parai ahau. Ko Porirua taku kaianga, Ko Ngati Toa ahau. I have been working in primary health care management for over 20 years, working across a range of government agencies, including the Ministry of Health. I work with young people as part of my mahi and I am on the Board of Trustees at Mana College, in Porirua. My qualifications include a Bachelor of Law and a Masters in Public Management. I thoroughly enjoy mentoring young people!

Malo e Lelei, my name is Tuitofa and I am currently studying a Bachelor of Nursing at The University of Auckland. I aspire to help reduce health inequities for Maori and Pacific people here in Aotearoa. I am passionate about working collectively in diverse environments to achieve and enlighten the future through strong networks of leaders. It has definitely been a journey to get to where I am today and I am most happy to share some insights about the 'real world' especially being 'an islander', Ofa Atu, malo.

Malo e lelei, my name is Alvina and I am a Pacific health PhD student at the University of Auckland. I have worked on research around Pasifika health literacy in Tonga and the Cook Islands. I am passionate about Pasifika youth health and how we can better support our youth to make better health and well-being choices. I was born and raised in Glen Innes, East Auckland where I still reside today.

Kia ora, my name is Kiri Dargaville (Te Rarawa, Ngāti Apakura, Pitcairn Island). I grew up in Manurewa, South Auckland. As I young teenage mum, I was fortunate enough to have the support network needed to finish high school and complete my tertiary studies. I hold a Bachelor of Health Sciences and a Masters of Public Health. I am passionate about Indigenous advancement, specifically Māori health and wellbeing – and I am the Principal Advisor Equity for the Māori Health Strategy & Policy team at the Ministry of Health. I have led and contributed to a broad range of kaupapa including: the COVID-19 response, Māori workforce development, Ao Mai Te Rā: the anti-racism kaupapa, health and disability system reform, and the response to stage one of the WAI 2575 inquiry.

Kia Ora, my name is Briana, I am of Tainui and Ngāti Kahungunu descent, and am in my last year of BSc(Physiology) where I hope to go into Paediatric medicine as a postgraduate student. I am originally from a small rural town in Hawkes Bay so I am a bit of a farm girl who loves the outdoors. I am also a high-performance track and field athlete so I find the support systems at UoA to be immeasurable when trying to juggle study, work, training, and life. I have a passion for health and I would love to be able to give back to a community that has supported me for so long and be a role model for young Māori wahine who would also like to make a difference.

Kia ora, Namaste and Vannakam, my name is Nive Sharat Chandran and I  was born in Chennai, India but moved to Aotearoa when I was 10 years old. 

My professional and academic background is in health and public policy. I currently work for ProCare as their senior advisor – strategy, policy and advocacy reporting directly to the executive leadership team. I have previously worked on therapeutics and drug policy for the Ministry of Health as a policy analyst.

My other passion is social justice and the empowerment of women, young people and children. I was a finalist in the Emerging Leader category for the Westpac’s Women of Influence Awards. 

I’ve worked as the youth coordinator and advocate for Shakti. 

I have strong connections with the World YWCA and other international human rights organisations. I was the vice-president (till 2019) of the World YWCA board, the youngest person to hold this position. I have represented the organisation and Aotearoa at various United Nations meetings, including in 2018 at 38th Session Human Rights Council and at the 70th session CEDAW an NGO delegate. 

In 2015 and 2014, I attended 59th and 58th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. At CSW, I campaigned for the dignity and rights of women and girls in relation to education, ending violence against women, economic opportunities, and finally, the fulfilment of sexual reproductive health and rights.

​

Talofa lava, my name is Senerita and I am a 2nd-year Optometry student at the University of Auckland. I have previously completed a Bachelor of Science majoring in Biomedical Sciences. Having a science and healthcare based background, I am very passionate about helping other people as well as empowering others, especially young woman,  to reach their full potential. I am of Samoan and Tongan heritage, born in Tonga but raised in South Auckland, and in my spare time love anything that involves eating yummy food.

Malo ni, Malo le soifua. I am Latasi Koro and I work as an Audiologist for Bay Audiology. My job is to diagnose and manage hearing loss. I studied at The University of Auckland and have a Certificate of Health Sciences, Bachelor of Health Sciences and a Master of Audiology. I am now a full member of the New Zealand Audiological Society. I was born and raised in West Auckland as a first-generation Samoan/Tokelauan and currently do CrossFit to stay mentally and physically fit and well. 

Kia ora, my name is Alehandrea and I am of Ngāti Porou & Ilocano Filipinx descent. I was born and raised in South Auckland, and am a practicing Audiologist, working as a Māori Research Coordinator for the Eisdell Moore Centre, and am studying a PhD in Audiology and Māori Health. I have worked overseas with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities in Northen Queensland and am using a Kaupapa Māori framework to bring to the forefront the voices of Māori our Māori hard of hearing and Deaf communities.

Talofa Lava, 
My name is Sophie and I am currently a second year medical student studying at the University of Auckland. I have just recently completed my Bachelor of Health Science and was considering working in health policy before being offered a place in Med school. 
I was born and raised in Auckland and enjoy reading, watching TV and spending time with my friends.

Hi, my name is Vishwa and I'm a Project Coordinator at Middlemore Hospital. I have completed my Postgraduate studies in Public Health and am super passionate about healthcare improvement through strategy, tech and business. Outside of work, I am currently the National COO for Chaisma, and love helping students. I was born in India and moved to New Zealand at the age of 8, I love scuba diving and chasing sunsets.

Kia Ora,
My name is Kianna. I am in my final year of studying a Bachelor of Science , majoring in Biotechnology. I am currently the COO of Chiasma ( a student-led organisation that helps bridge the gap between STEM students and industry) and the Velocity Outreach lead ( The University of Auckland’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship program). In addition, I have lead and won the University Summer Lab Competition with my startup venture focused on sustainability. I am passionate about helping others upskill themselves and reaching their full potential. I was born and raised in Bahrain, a small island in the Middle East and am interested in travelling to many more parts of the world.

Kia Ora, my name is Maitreyi, I am currently a third-year Medical Student at the University of Auckland. I’m a local gal with Indian roots and I’m so excited about the future of medicine and healthcare as we get more diversity and more creativity in this field, as well as being a part of the campaign to actively make this happen. Otherwise, I’m really looking forward to finally being able to travel the world again and skydive in Spain.

Kia ora, I am a Policy Advisor within the Ministry of Health. I have worked in a range of roles within the public sector and have a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and English, and a Graduate Diploma in Public Policy. I am passionate about social issues and I want to ensure equitable health outcomes through my work. Through this mentoring programme, I want to support young women to reach their full potential.

I have long term experience in community-based health, injury management and disability sectors having worked at ACC, DHBs and private health organisations. I joined HealthCare NZ in January 2012 and have worked in leadership, project and management positions related to supporting people to recover and live their best life following an injury. Trained as a registered nurse, I pursued post graduate qualifications in managed care and rehabilitation at the University of Auckland. I am now general manager of Solora, a care coordination and network management business that delivers clinical and coordination services.

Mālō e lelei, my name is Siobhan and I am a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Auckland. I am half Tongan (Holonga, Tongatapu), half Kiwi and was born and raised in Hamilton. I am passionate about improving Pacific health inequities and have just finished a PhD in the Cook Islands researching adolescent health/nutrition and ways to support community wellbeing. I like keeping active and spending time with my family :)

Kia ora, my name is Anita and I am a senior leader working in the education/training field focused on community health. I have a Bachelor of Applied Management (Majors Human Resource Management and Strategic Management). I am passionate about building leadership capability and delivering practical solutions which make a real difference to people within our communities. I enjoy life to the fullest and I'm currently painting our house.

Originally from Northern Ireland, I have 20 years experience delivering clinical and leadership services in both New Zealand and United Kingdom. I spent 10 years working as a physiotherapist in acute neuroscience services, designing and implementing acute stroke services and acute neurosurgical unit allied health services. My non-clinical career has seen me: re-design clinical environments, design integrated mental health and physical health services for older people, lead whole-of-system innovation programmes; and gain insights into the primary care innovation space.

I am mum to Riordan and partner to Henare. When I'm not working I love scuba diving, fishing, mountain biking and landscaping our lifestyle block!

Xin chao, my name is Vienna Nguyen. I am currently a community support worker at Kahui Tu Kaha. In high school I was passionate about entrepreneurship but later on ventured into public health and population health.

Mālo e lelei, my name is Vaihola Mausa and I am a 6th year medical student at The University of Auckland. I am currently completing my placement at Taranaki Base Hospital. Born in Tonga, raised in South Auckland. I am passionate about all things health and helping empower the next generation of strong women coming through. I love a good adventure so you can find me outdoors enjoying a decent hike or cycle, equally I can be indoors watching Netflix or napping. There's no in between.

Kia ora, my name is Vicki and I lead the national provision of Disability Support and Services at NZCare and Geneva Community Living. I have a long career in the disability sector in a number of senior roles within large provider organisations. My overarching goal is to support people with disabilities to have great lives and to develop and enhance a workforce at all levels to deliver this. I live on the Kapiti Coast and enjoy most sports, ballet and spending time with my grandkids.

Malo e lelei. My name is Elizabeth Holt and I am the Pacific Research Co-ordinator at the Eisdell Moore Centre for Hearing and Balance Research. I have a clinical background in Physiotherapy (AUT) and have just completed my PhD in Population Health where I undertook and epidemiological study on ear disease and hearing loss in the Niuean pre-school population. I love working in public health and health services research due to the power it can have to improve population health and wellbeing. I am a mother of two young children, love outdoor adventures and I am a cellist in the Auckland Symphony Orchestra.

Talofa lava, my name is Aliesha, and I am a Policy Analyst at the Manatu Hauora, Ministry of Health. I have a diverse background working in the creative industry and across media and the health sector. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Design Studies and more recently completed a Graduate Diploma in Psychology. I am passionate about equity not only for women but for minority groups, including Pacific peoples. I am a New Zealand-born Samoan, born in Dunedin, now living in windy Wellington, a city I absolutely love. I enjoy strength training and brunching on the weekends.

Talofa Lava, my name is Esther and I am a Coordinator at the Ministry of Health. I have worked in government organizations such as ACC - Accident Compensation Corporations and New Zealand Defense Force over the last 10 years. I am passionate about supporting our healthcare systems, personal development and empowering our young ones to learn about this amazing environment. I was born and raised in Porirua, I enjoy spending time with my sons, family and friends, going to the gym, studying and much more.

Placeholder