Henare Parker (Ngati Porou, Ngāti Raukawa)
Māori Clinical Equity Lead
Ko te Aitanga a Hauiti te hāpu
Ko Ngati Porou me Ngāti Raukawa oku Iwi
What led you to this role?
In my career I have worked in Kaupapa Māori-focused mental health and addiction services, intellectual disability services, and with rangatahi, as well as both kaupapa-driven and tauiwi-led NGOs.
I have also worked in the private sector, and it is important to note that I began my health sector journey as an orderly back in 2007.
My last role was as the Team Leader of Haumietiketike (Forensic Intellectual Disability Service) which I was in for six months until I saw the role of Māori Clinical Equity Lead advertised and knew that this was the culmination of all my lived and professional experiences thus far.
What drives your passion for improving equity?
The big driver for me would be that I truly believe that my people deserve nothing less than a gold standard of service.
Over my career I have witnessed instances of service delivery that had room for improvement. I am personally committed to working alongside my team to make sure care for all tāngata whaiora Māori within MHAIDS is delivered at a gold standard level, and that this is the acceptable standard of practice.
In addition to leading the uplift of our current levels of equity for our tāngata whaiora and their whānau, I would like to see them standing in their Tino Rangatira (independence) and Mana Motuhake (sovereignty) as the true Rangatira (leaders) they truly are - and ultimately thriving.
What opportunities do you see for this role to improve equity in MHAIDS services?
This is the time for tangata whenua to lead and influence how MHAIDS plan, develop and deliver services to our communities. My equity lead role is to give Māori voice and Māori perspectives on all structures, systems and processes within MHAIDS.
Secondly, establishing effective and meaningful relationships both internal and external to MHAIDS will be a focus, whakawhanautanga.
What are you looking forward to in this role?
I look forward to being part of a kaupapa that ensure MHAIDS is an equitable service improving outcomes for Māori. You might say “What does that look like?” It would be a future MHAIDS where all tāngata whaiora Māori experience a level of service that meets and exceeds their mental, physical, spiritual and family needs.
