These roles are unique in their seniority and scope to inform decision-making, and combine to form a Māori Equity Lead Group with a broad range of work and life experience.
Māori Equity Leads provide leadership and guidance to develop, implement, and refine Tiriti o Waitangi-led and pro-equity approaches, ensuring the provision of quality and safe services. They work at a leadership level in partnership with Operations Managers and Clinical Leads across MHAIDS sectors to effect structural equity.
The two recent appointments are Eddie Edmonds, based in the Acute Mental Health Inpatient, After Hours, District and Hospital Services sector, and Te Manu Tutaki Wi-Neera in the Intellectual Disability Service. They join Henare Parker (Quality Clinical) and Keta Te Ahuru (Younger Persons).
"The rōpū members are driven, passionate, know their communities, and bring a totally fresh perspective to MHAIDS,” says Hiraina McKenzie, MHAIDS’ Kaihautū / Director Māori, who leads the rōpū.
“Our aspiration is that within five years, their influence is evident in all that we do at MHAIDS. Equity will be front and centre of all mahi that our teams carry out, to the point where it's business as usual.”
Part of the team's work will be to support integration of existing equity initiatives into team practice, such as outcomes measure Hua Oranga and the Health Equity Assessment Tool (HEAT). They will drive forward this work, and make sure focus is maintained. Equity Leads will seek opportunities to influence change in MHAIDS systems and processes that create inequities.
The rōpū fits into broader equity work within MHAIDS, with Hiraina leading the development of MHAIDS' first equity plan. This will see all sectors eventually undertaking monthly reporting across five key areas: outcomes, effectiveness, relationships with community, access, and tāngata whaiora driven care.
While focused on reducing inequities and improving health outcomes for Māori, this work will benefit everyone who uses MHAIDS services, through a renewed emphasis on flexible, dynamic care delivered by staff able to work effectively with all tāngata whaiora and their whānau.
This mahi also aligns with the strategic direction signalled in the Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Health 2024–2027, which prioritises areas such as improved access to services, while also setting out its vision for improving health outcomes for priority populations such as Māori. The 2025 Health New Zealand Health delivery plan also includes five specific mental health targets which are key areas of focus for Māori Equity Lead group work plans.
“Strengthening Māori rangatiratanga / leadership at all levels is a key enabler to progressing Māori health equity within our district,” says Hiraina. “The introduction of these roles offers possibilities for the future.
"We have what we need. We have a collective that can drive things forward, an agreed step-by-step plan, and a supportive Senior Leadership Team.”
Photo: Māori Equity Lead Group. L-R, front row: Hiraina McKenzie, Kaihautū / Director Māori; Keta Te Ahuru, Māori Equity Lead; Lisa Naufahu, Personal Assistant to Director Māori. Back row: Māori Equity Leads Eddie Edmonds, Henare Parker and Te Manu Tutaki Wi-Neera.
