Māori Development Manager
Te Rina (Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa) is grounded in whānau experience as her older brother sustained a severe traumatic brain injury from a motor vehicle accident in 2007. This coupled with the experiences of other whānau she met on their journey, has increased her awareness of the quality, safety and cultural issues whānau face on a day-to-day basis. This inspired her to attain a Bachelor of Laws and Social Science with a focus on Health & Disability.
Te Rina has worked for Te Pare ō Toi (Māori Health – BOPDHB) where she contributed to the implementation of Te Toi Ahorangi. She has been a member of national advisory groups such as Royal Australasian College of Physicians Consumer Board, ACC Whole Pathways Collaborative, HQSC Consumer Network & Te Roopū Māori group, among others. Te Rina has since co-founded Camp Unity, to support young people who provide care to a whānau, or aiga member with a disability, illness, or injury requiring daily support.
Te Rina is passionate about influencing positive operational and systemic change to improve the experiences of whānau as they navigate the health system.