It’s with great pleasure that we celebrate that two members of our community have been appointed to bring about a once-in-a-lifetime change to Aotearoa’s health system.
Congratulations to Global Women member Fepulea’i Margie Apa and 2021 Breakthrough Leaders participant, Riana Manuel, who are the new Chief Executives of the Health New Zealand and Māori Health Authority interim entities, respectively.
This comes as last year, our Member Vanessa Stoddart, was announced as an interim board member for these very boards and part of the committee who have chosen these wāhine to shape the next chapter.
The two interim health authorities that Margie and Riana will be heading will see them work closely with the Ministry of Health and the newly-created Public Health Agency within it, as the kaitiaki of the health system.
“This reform is all about people,” says Co-Chair of the Māori Health Authority, Sharon Shea.
This change to the health system is a once-in-a-generation transformation where a collective approach and resource equity for Māori, Pasifika and the disability community is paramount. In keeping with this, both dynamic leadership and a commitment to meeting the aspirations of Māori was a key consideration leading Riana and Margie to be selected.
We’ve seen over the last few years how considerate, thoughtful, diverse thinking and leadership is essential to the health sector and have every faith in Riana and Margie to keep striving for excellence in this space.
Currently, Fepulea’i Margie Apa is the Chief Executive of Counties Manukau District Health Board, with more than 20 years of impressive health leadership experience. Riana Manuel is the Chief Executive of Hauraki Primary Health Organisation and iwi-based not-for-profit Te Korowai Hauora o Hauraki, and was a driving force in the Hauraki vaccination programme efforts.
Hear more about these inspiring wahine, what’s in store for their next chapter in shaping Health New Zealand via Counties Manukau Health’s news HERE.