New boss appointed at Tui Ora
A new leader for a Taranaki kaupapa Māori health service has been announced.
Alana Ruakere has been appointed to the position of pou tū kūrae/chief executive at Tui Ora, replacing departing boss Hayden Wano, who had been with the organisation since its inception in 1998.
Ruakere (Taranaki, Te tiawa) is currently the director for the Crown Response Unit which provides oversight of the Government response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.
She will return home to Taranaki to take on the role at Tui Ora.
Raised in punake, Ruakere is the daughter of Anne and Tony, who established the first kaupapa Māori GP practice in Taranaki in 1994.
She started her career working in mental health, before taking on other positions within the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Development and Te Puni
Kōkiri.
Becoming the boss at Tui Ora was described by Ruakere as an ‘‘enormous privilege’’.
‘‘For me this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to give back to the people of my turangawaewae, the place where I grew up and owe so much,’’ she said.
‘‘I am excited and humbled by the challenges ahead, but 100% committed to the cause to create better health outcomes, and better lives, for whānau Māori in Taranaki.’’
Wano was excited to announce
Ruakere’s appointment, which he said came at a ‘‘pivotal’’ time for Tui Ora, which employed
about 200 staff across the region.
‘‘Reforms to our health system and the establishment of Te Aka Whai Ora (the Māori Health Authority) present enormous opportunities in kaupapa Māori hauora. Tui Ora have already set a new strategy to align ourselves with the reforms and it will be fantastic to have a new leader bring new energy and ideas to this important role.’’
Wano will stay on until the end of March next year as part of a transition period, where he will work alongside Ruakere.
A pōwhiri will be held on March 31 to mark Ruakere’s first day in the top job.