New Pou Oranga for Te Arawa IMPB to Drive Whānau Wellbeing in Te Arawa
In a move to strengthen delivery on its strategic health priorities, Te Taura Ora o Waiariki, Iwi Māori Partnership Board has appointed Jeanette Te Ua-Hausman (Ngā Wairiki, Ngāti Apa) as Pou Oranga – Projects, a role focused on leading and coordinating kaupapa that advance the Board’s strategic priorities for hauora Māori across the rohe.
“We welcome Jeanette at a moment when the future of Māori health governance is at stake,” says Hingatu Thompson, Chair of Te Taura o Waiariki Iwi Māori Partnership Board. “Her appointment reflects our commitment to delivering Te Arawa-led solutions to the housing, health, and wellbeing challenges that are particularly acute in Rotorua.”
“Our whānau face complex social issues, from high housing stress and homelessness to the health inequities highlighted in the Waitangi Tribunal’s Hauora Report. In Waiariki, low cancer screening and immunisation rates show a public health system that too often falls short.”
“Jeanette brings expertise in housing strategy, community engagement, and multi-stakeholder coordination, enabling practical, culturally grounded solutions to overcrowding, damp homes, and the broader social determinants of health affecting Te Arawa whānau.”
The Board appreciates the value of Jeanette’s proven leadership in housing, project management, and iwi-led collaboration with a strong understanding of Tikanga Māori which strengthens the ability of Te Taura to deliver outcomes that are not only effective but mana-enhancing and grounded in Te ao Māori, reflecting the aspirations and realities of Te Arawa whānau.
Jeanette brings more than a decade of project and operational leadership across diverse sectors, housing advocacy, and iwi–Crown partnership work underpinned by a Bachelor of Applied Management in Project and Operations Management.
Most recently, as Housing Advisor for Whanganui District Council, she led strategic action plans for housing and homelessness, successfully managed complex projects addressing social determinants of wellbeing and facilitated housing action groups, coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives with Iwi, hapū, and government agencies. Her career also spans leadership roles in real estate, manufacturing operations, and human resources, with a consistent focus on building kaupapa that improve community wellbeing.
As Pou Oranga, Jeanette will manage the delivery of key projects from the IMPB’s annual work programme, including initiatives addressing housing, poverty, and food security – critical social determinants of health. She will also strengthen partnerships across iwi, hapū, providers, and Crown agencies to ensure Te Arawa aspirations are at the centre of local system change.
Her appointment comes at a time when Rotorua is experiencing both a housing crisis and significant health reforms with the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Bill. With Te Whatu Ora restructuring frontline services, the role of IMPBs in shaping local solutions has become even more critical.
“Jeanette’s experience leading iwi–Crown partnerships in the housing space makes her uniquely placed to progress Te Arawa-led solutions,” says Thompson. “This appointment signals our determination to move beyond business-as-usual and deliver transformational change for our whānau.”
Media Liaison: Sarah Sparks Email: Sarah.sparks@sparksconsulting.co.nz Mobile: 021318813
After Health NZ Data & Digital Cuts, Te Arawa IMPB Invests in New Data Platform & Capability
Te Taura Ora o Waiariki, Iwi Māori Partnership Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Urukahinga Rei (Ngāti Whakaue, Tūhourangi) as Kaitātari, a role dedicated to strengthening data capability and ensuring Te Arawa whānau voices are paired with robust evidence to support better health outcomes.
“This appointment of Urukahinga reflects Te Arawa’s commitment to actioning Waitangi Tribunal findings in the historic Hauora Report, which made clear that Māori must lead the design and governance of our own health data to achieve equity,” says Hingatu Thompson, Chair of Te Taura Ora o Waiariki IMPB.
“The skills of Urukahinga in data analysis, research, and iwi engagement, alongside her deep grounding in Te Ao Māori, will ensure our work is driven by evidence that reflects the realities and aspirations of our Te Arawa whānau. Her role strengthens our capacity to deliver monitoring, reporting, and advocacy that is both data-informed and whānau-centred.”
As Kaitātari, Urukahinga will identify, describe, and map key datasets relevant to whānau hauora, while also supporting the team with project administration. Her work will be central to developing a data platform that upholds Māori data sovereignty principles and reflects Te Arawa aspirations for wellbeing.
A Raukuratanga of kōhanga reo and kura kaupapa Māori, Urukahinga brings both cultural depth and technical skill to the role. She has built a strong foundation in Māori data and research through her recent mahi with Te Kāhui Raraunga, where she developed an iwi data framework and profile, and with Te Akatea – Māori Principals Association, where she produced regional data analysis for Māori principals.
Her experience extends to working with the Mātauranga Iwi Leaders Group, Te Arawa Lakes Trust, and the National Hauora Coalition, where she supported Māori health initiatives and contributed to iwi education portfolios and research projects.
Currently completing a Bachelor of Māori Law and Philosophy at Te Wānanga o Raukawa, Urukahinga combines academic study with practical expertise in data analysis, research, and kaupapa Māori approaches.
Urukahinga is deeply motivated by the opportunity to contribute to iwi-led health solutions, weaving together her passion for kaupapa Māori research and data with a steadfast commitment to advancing the wellbeing of Te Arawa whānau. Her appointment signals a step forward in ensuring that evidence is not only rigorous but also reflective of Te Arawa values, realities, and aspirations.
“Guided by the principles of Māori Data Sovereignty championed by Te Mana Raraunga, this role strengthens the capacity of Te Arawa to protect and harness our own information in ways that empower whānau and support equitable health outcomes,” says Hingatu Thompson.
“All at a time when Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand has disestablished or redeployed more than 1,800 data and digital roles nationally, this investment shows our determination to prioritise Māori-led data solutions and safeguard iwi voices in the health system.”
Media Liaison: Sarah Sparks Email: Sarah.sparks@sparksconsulting.co.nz Mobile: 021318813