Introducing the Regional Wayfinders

Tēnā koutou katoa

It is with great pleasure I announce the appointment of our three new Regional Wayfinders and one interim Regional Wayfinder:

• Northern Regional Wayfinder | Danny Wu (Interim)
• Te Manawa Taki Regional Wayfinder | Nicola Ehau
• Central Regional Wayfinder | Tricia Keelan
• Te Waipounamu Regional Wayfinder | Chiquita Hansen

Whilst we have not yet appointed a permanent Northern Regional Wayfinder, Danny Wu has accepted an Interim appointment to the Northern region for up to six months while we recommence our recruitment in the new year.

These outstanding people are well known leaders and come into the Regional Wayfinder roles with incredibly impressive accomplishments already under their belts.

As a Regional Wayfinder they will be responsible for providing rangatiratanga leadership to multiple locally-based Commissioning teams across the relevant region in order to ensure that locality teams are able to support local communities and whānau in the pursuit of Pae Ora.

The job of the Commissioning Wayfinder is to find a way through, to remove barriers and to shine the light on possible paths forward. Commissioning Wayfinders are custodians of the Pae Ora vision and the holders of regional relationships.

Commissioning Wayfinders proactively engage with the widest possible range of whānau, community and provider stakeholders and ensure locality teams do the same.

I cannot wait till the new year to join them as they shape and progress our important mahi going forward.

Abbe Anderson (she/her)
National Director Commissioning

Danny Wu began his career as a pharmacist and has extensive experience across the health sector in strategic planning, change management and clinical service improvement. He has had planning and funding and provider arm roles in former District Health Boards and a primary health care leadership role at the Ministry of Health.

Danny has managed hospital services and led change across a number of clinical areas to provide access in community settings.

Danny Wu will take on the Northern Regional Wayfinder position on 4 January 2023 in an interim basis for up to six months.

Nicola Ehau is currently seconded to Te Aka Whai Ora as Chief Advisor and will be stepping into the Regional Wayfinder role from the 7 February 2023.

In her early career, Nicola held roles in mental health, Māori health, and workforce planning, which has enabled her to hold successful planning and funding roles in several District Health Boards, a Primary Health Organisation and other health entities. Nicola has been part of the National Health of Older Peoples Steering Group, InterRai Governance Group and Te Manawa Taki Regional Equity Group.

• What do you hope to contribute in the Regional Wayfinder role?
These roles are new and exciting. The opportunity to truly listen and respond to the aspirations that whānau have for health and wellbeing are well overdue. I have been privileged to work closely in communities across the motu, developing strong ties, connections and programmes that are developed, designed and implemented within those communities. I look forward to sharing what I have learnt and learning more to continue improving how we make this health system better for those who most need a hand up.

• What are you looking forward to most in the new year?
While I will be having a break I am eager to get started, so I am looking forward to starting in this role in early February. Recognising the many contributions of Te Manawa Taki teams and communities will be high in the order of proceedings.

• As we approach the holiday season, what are you most grateful for?
I am most grateful for a loving whānau who keep me grounded, stable and whole in an often busy and challenging world.

Tricia Keelan is GM Monitoring Systems and Transformation at Te Aka Whai Ora and will be stepping into the Regional Wayfinder role from the 14 February 2023.

Tricia’s substantial background in policy, design, commissioning, primary care, public and population health has enabled her to make an impact in numerous parts of the health system focusing on giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, enabling Tino rangatiratanga, indigenous rights and equity advancement.

Tricia was previously Deputy CEO and co-leader of the Human Rights Commission where she was a member of the Tripartite Steering Group on the Rights of Indigenous People, and a member of the Government Senior Officials group to address racism.

• What do you hope to contribute in the Regional Wayfinder role?
I hope to contribute to the emergence of a culture of oranga and equity grounded within Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

• What are you looking forward to most in the new year?
Seeing the seeds laid by tūpuna and elders growing within the reforms. Joining the team and doing my part to contribute to the mahi for the wellbeing of current and future generations.

• As we approach the holiday season, what are you most grateful for?
I am grateful for the mahi by all those serving our communities and for my whānau and friends. As usual I am loving camping close to Tangaroa in Anaura bay/ Ūawa.

Chiquita Hansen is currently seconded on a part time basis to Te Whatu Ora as Co-Director Primary, Community and Rural Early Actions and will be stepping into the Regional Wayfinder role from the 14 February 2023.

Chiquita has held a variety of nursing leadership roles and has been Chief Executive of the MidCentral district’s Primary Health Organisation, THINK Hauora since 2013.

Chiquita is passionate about whanau and community led solutions and has strongly advocated a pro-equity approach to health service delivery. Chiquita has been influential at a governance level across several National organisations including General Practice New Zealand (GPNZ), Collaborative Aotearoa and Health Quality and Safety Patient Experience Survey Governance Group.

• What do you hope to contribute in the Regional Wayfinder role?
To work in partnership with iwi, people, whanau, communities, and our primary and community partners to achieve Pae Ora. I will be relentless about achieving equity of outcomes for our priority populations.

• What are you looking forward to most in the new year?
Returning home to Te Waipaunamu (Mainland) and working with the talented staff of Te Whatu Ora and Te Aka Whai Ora. I’m very passionate about advancing the locality approach in partnership with the Iwi Māori Partnership Boards.

• As we approach the holiday season, what are you most grateful for?
I am most grateful for the love of my whānau. I am also extremely grateful for the opportunities that I have had over my career which have led me to this new and exciting role.