3DHB Executive Director Māori Health appointed

3DHB Executive Director Māori Health appointed

Capital & Coast District Health Board (DHB), Hutt Valley DHB, and Wairarapa DHB are pleased to announce that Riki Nia Nia (Tūhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu) has been appointed to the role of 3DHB Executive Director Māori Health.

“This is a new role that brings together the three Māori health teams that currently operate as a virtual team. A formally co-ordinated approach across the sub-region will ensure that we are better equipped to improve the health outcomes of Māori living in our districts,” WDHB and HVDHB CEO Graham Dyer said.

Riki brings 17 years of senior leadership experience in the health sector to this role and also currently chairs Tumu Whakarae – the DHB GM Māori National Strategic Reference Group; the Kia Ora Hauora Māori Health Careers Programme steering group, and the Tū Kaha Māori Health Development conference committee.

“I’m keen to build on the great work that has been occurring across all 3DHBs in Maori health and look forward to addressing the collective challenges the 3DHBs continue to face in this priority area also,” Riki said.

He was previously Director of Māori Health at CCDHB until taking up this role, and his past roles include Director of Māori Health at Wairarapa DHB, and Service Manager of Public Health services at Whanganui DHB.

“We are confident that Riki and the sub-regional Māori health team will continue to ensure Māori perspectives are heard and implemented in decision-making that shapes the future of health services across the 3DHBs,” interim CCDHB CEO Debbie Chin said.

The 3DHB sub-region was home to 438,345 or nearly 11% of New Zealanders in 2013. The Māori populations of the Hutt Valley and Wairarapa districts are higher than the 15% national average, at 18% and 16% respectively, while 11% of people in the Capital & Coast district identify as Māori.

Additionally, the Māori population of all three DHBs is expected to grow within an overall sub-regional growth rate projected at 0.6% per year to 2026.

ENDS

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