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Te Roopu Pae Ora (Equity Group) is led by Ranei Wineera-Parai, and we aim to strengthen New Zealand Health Group’s commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and achieving health equity.
We acknowledge Te Tiriti o Waitangi as the founding document of Aotearoa New Zealand and as a New Zealand health organisation, we are committed to understanding and contributing to our obligations to ensure equitable health outcomes for everyone through living Pae Ora mō Tātau Katoa (Achieving Wellbeing for Everyone), our Health Equity Framework.
Pae Ora mō Tātau Katoa underpins the work that we do, our processes, systems, and workforce to ensure equity for everyone. Te Roopu Pae Ora are a small but passionate team ensuring that the wider organisation is upholding Pae Ora mō Tātau Katoa and that everyone is onboard our waka as we continue on our journey to achieve health equity across Aotearoa New Zealand.
We see New Zealand Health Group’s capabilities in the context of Sir Mason Durie’s Te Whare Tapa Whā model, a Māori health model which promotes balanced, holistic wellbeing and encompasses 4 dimensions: Te Taha Hinengaro (Emotional and Mental Wellbeing), Te Taha Tinana (Physical Wellbeing), Te Taha Whānau (Social Wellbeing), and Te Taha Wairua (Spiritual Wellbeing). We have also included a fifth element – Te Taiao (Environmental Wellbeing).
Te Whare Tapa Whā is an integral part of Pae Ora mō Tātau Katoa: to learn more about this equity-enabling framework, see our info sheet here.
He waka eke noa.
We are all in this together.
Chief Equity Officer
Ranei (Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāpuhi, LLB, MPM) brings over 20 years’ experience working in primary healthcare and supporting cross-government agency service delivery improvements to address equity. She works to ensure health equity through the right access to services and promoting fairness of access to care needed. Outside of her role at New Zealand Health Group, Ranei also participates in several governance groups, including Mana College Board of Trustees, Ora Toa PHO Boards, Youth2Work Chair and Vice-President of the
Māori Women’s Welfare League Ngāti Toa branch, and her Iwi Runanga Ngāti Toa.
Kaumātua
Taku (Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Raukawa, Te Atiawa, Ngaitahu) was born and raised in Porirua and has been an active member of the community for many decades, contributing positively to the growth and development of the city in myriad ways. Taku is Chair on Kaumātua Council for Ngāti Toa Rangātira, Patron of the Northern United Rugby Club, Chairman Māori Basketball, Kaumātua for Porirua City Council, Kaumātua for Basketball New Zealand, Co-Chair of Māori and Pacific Trade Training, Iwi Liaison Whitireia Polytech
and Co-Chair of Putahitanga (South Island Whanau Ora Commissioning agent). Dr. Taku Parai was awarded an Honorary Doctorate to Indigenous Elders/Knowledge Holders—Doctor of Education (EdD) for Indigenous Knowledge and Development from World Indigenous Nations University.
Māori Business and Policy Lead
Arianna (Ngāti Porou) has a background in Health Science and Population Health, with a passion for improving Māori health equity. Prior to working for New Zealand Health Group, Arianna worked for Tū Ora Compass Health (PHO), Auckland Sexual Services and various roles across The University of Auckland (Faculty of Medical and Health Science/Te Kupenga Hauora Māori/MAPAS/Whakapiki Ake). She has recently moved back to Ahuriri (Napier) to be closer to her whānau, where she bases herself for mahi. Arianna is excited to tautoko this journey with New Zealand Health Group and support this mahi towards health equity.
Kaitātari Kaupapa – Cultural Advisor
Tuukuru (Ngāti Pikiao, Te Arawa) is a recent graduate of Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha, gaining his degree in Māori and Indigenous Studies and Sociology. He is coming into the Equity Team with a fresh perspective and is excited to tautoko us on our journey to improve equity for all people accessing health. Prior to working at New Zealand Health Group, Tuukuru was working as an Academic Tutor within the department of Māori and indigenous Studies at the University alongside his studies. He enjoyed facilitating tutorials and assisting with adult learning. During his studies, he also took up the opportunity to spend time in Sāmoa across several teaching roles where he lived and contributed to village life in an indigenous setting.
Kaitātari Kaupapa – Cultural Advisor
Nirvana Wi-Neera (Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāpuhi, Te Ātiawa) has a love of people and a passion for education. As a trained teacher (Māori medium) she has taught in various settings including iwi education, kura-ā-iwi (reo speaking) and mainstream schools, privileging indigenous knowledge and mātauranga. Since graduating with a masters in Education – Victoria University, Nirvana has been actively involved in the development and facilitation of various professional development workshops that focus on cultural responsiveness and practice within the education sector, seeking to address racism and inequity.
Bi-cultural Educator
Stephanie (Tapuika, Te Arawa) has a passion for bringing te ao Māori into all spaces. Stephanie has a background working within the health sector, in community-centred roles, and working to create and support approaches that uphold equitable health outcomes. Prior to working at New Zealand Health Group, Stephanie completed a degree in Te Reo Māori and Māori and Indigenous Studies and worked as a Te Reo Māori Tutor. Stephanie was awarded an internship scholarship to Asia where she worked for a large health organisation and conducted a study on indigenous cultural values associated with health. Outside of her role at New Zealand Health Group, Stephanie is actively continuing to grow and develop her reo Māori with further study at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.