The Roster Te Rārangi: Edition 29

Authority's early influencers
Academic and Papakura Marae Health Clinic GP Matire Harwood (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Rangi, Te Mahurehure, Ngāti Hine) was named a member of the steering group that will provide advice on governance arrangements and appointments to the Māori Health Authority’s interim board. The group is chaired by Tā Mason Durie (The Roster Te Rārangi, edition 27) and was appointed by associate health minister Peeni Henare. Dr Harwood, associate professor in the department of general practice and primary care at the University of Auckland, says it is a privilege to be involved. She told New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa: “We all have a deep respect for Tā Mason and want to do a great job."

Also steering the canoe...
Mr Henare also appointed former Canterbury DHB deputy chair Tā Mark Solomon (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kurī) to the steering group. Tā Mark chairs Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu, the whānau ora commissioning agency for the South Island. He led Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu from 1998 to 2016. The other members are: Parekawhia McLean, Te Kāhui Tātari Ture – Criminal Cases Review Commission chief executive; Rāhui Papa, orator, spokesperson, authority on Waikato reo and tikanga; Kim Ngārimu, Tairāwhiti DHB chair; Amohaere Houkamau, Rongowhakaata Trust general manager, and Lisa Tumahai, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu kaiwhakahaere. Nominations for the interim board close on 18 June; its members will be announced on 1 September.

DHBs appoint IT lead
James Allison (Ngāpuhi) will start next week as chief digital officer for Canterbury and West Coast DHBs. Mr Allison was appointed last year to Mahitahi Hauora, the primary health organisation (PHO) for Northland, as chief operating officer. He was formerly chief information officer and general manager of technology services at Health Alliance (services provider to the four northern DHBs), and has worked for the Order of St John as a senior IT executive and for Spark NZ Ltd as technology general manager.

From primary care to ACC
Michelle Murray has joined ACC as tumu pae ora (chief Māori and equity officer) in charge of developing and leading ACC’s Māori strategy, Whāia te Tika. Ms Murray, who has an MBA from the University of Waikato and a postgraduate diploma in public health from AUT, spent five years in primary care leadership roles at Bay of Plenty DHB. From July 2019 until April this year, she was chief executive of Hauraki PHO and, for the eight years prior, was Eastern Bay Primary Health Alliance PHO’s chief executive.

Bringing insights to DHBs
Marama Parore (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāpuhi) has started as director of Māori health, a new role for TAS, the services provider owned by the six central region DHBs. Ms Parore has a background in community nursing, teaching, training and health sector management. From 2003 to 2013, she was general manager, access & optimal use/Māori health for Pharmac, leaving to take up the reins at national Māori workforce organisation Te Rau Matatini. She has moved to TAS after two years in the lead role of kaihautū with support services provider HealthCare New Zealand.

Science boss gets another term
Dame Juliet Gerrard will soon commence a second three-year term as the prime minister’s chief science advisor. Dame Juliet has made an enormous contribution, particularly in relation to the country’s response to COVID-19 and the eruption at Whakaari/White Island, says prime minister Jacinda Ardern in a media release. Dame Juliet is a professor in the School of Biological Sciences and School of Chemical Sciences at the University of Auckland.
Image: Government House

It's all about indigenous health
Northland DHB’s new general manager Māori health, Moana Tane, has recently been in Australia managing health services, researching health in remote communities and completing a PhD in indigenous health. Dr Tane (Te Rōroa – Ngāti Korokoro, Ngāti Wharara and Ngāti Hine; Te Rarawa, Te Aupōuri, Ngāti Kahu) was Pharmac’s national Māori health manager and, later, chief executive of national Māori health organisation Te Hotu Manawa Māori (or Toi Tangata, The Roster, edition 26). She has a bachelor of education and master of public health.

Reaching beyond Northland
Peter Thomas has also been welcomed to Northland DHB recently. In conjunction with Waitematā and Auckland DHBs, Mr Thomas’ role as director, iwi relationships will include supporting Kōtui Hauora, the Northern DHB–Iwi Chairs Forum, to develop various joint initiatives. A former Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services operations manager, Mr Thomas has worked in Māori policy, mental health, health promotion and contract management in a variety of posts at Auckland Council, Capital & Coast DHB, the Ministry of Health, PHOs, and Ngāti Hine Health Trust.

Blatant self-promotion corner
The Roster’s publisher, The Health Media, has just had a win for its flagship publication and website, New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa (nzdoctor.co.nz). The team scored Best Trade/Professional Magazine at the Voyager Media Awards, and we admit to feeling chuffed! Editor Barbara Fountain isn’t resting on her laurels but has recorded a great convo in her System Fix podcast series. This one is about Budget 2021’s health spend and the health reforms and it features independent researcher Gabrielle Baker and University of Auckland health policy researcher Tim Tenbensel. Thanks for all the support for the work we do.

– Virginia McMillan, editor
phone 021 914 699 or email vmcmillan@nzdoctor.co.nz