I have been married for 30 years, a parent of 5 children, 7 grandchildren and five months ago became a great grandfather. The new joy in our lives is named Maletino. We are of Maori, Irish and First nation descent and spend much of our time in the Bay of Islands and Hokianga regions. From 1989 I worked with Ringa Atawhai Trust in Community Health development – NDHB as a volunteer, Trustee and then coordinator position for the whanagarei/kaipara area. A short 2year stint for The Blind Foundation of Nz and then returned to NDHB in 2005 the role of Takawaenga/Maori Liaison Officer for NDHB. In the community I Chair the National body for Bronchiectasis, am in involved with several family marae as Trustee and Chairperson.
I serve as a Catechist leader in our faith of St Francis Xavier Catholic church which supports my spiritual wellbeing and relationship to all humanity.
I am truly grateful for the opportunity to contribute, share at the table of consumers, our stories, our challenges, our life experience and apply what we have learnt from these to the health environment in a way that can support the patient/consumer and family journey whilst they are in our care
Last modified: