ABOUT
We work within the Principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the Treaty of Waitangi, (Partnership, Protection and Participation) to ensure Māori are involved in development, planning, and delivery of health care while safeguarding Māori culture concepts, values and practices.
We work using holistic hauora approach and embrace the four cornerstones of health:
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Te taha tinana (physical wellbeing)
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Te taha wairua (spiritual wellbeing)
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Te taha hinengaro (mental wellbeing)
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Te taha whānau (family wellbeing)
Uruuruwhenua – The far lands to the west. This ingoa used to describe the far lands to the west when standing on the east coast looking to the west. Uru being west, Uruuru being even more west and whenua being land
Uruuruwhenua a not-for-profit hauora provider was established in 2006, due to the level of support needed for whānau Māori in Central Otago. Located in the house out the back of Dunstan Hospital, Uruuruwhenua worked out of here for some time. Since our establishment, we’ve been in five locations, the back of the hospital, behind Repco, across the road from Night and Day, 47 Centennial Ave and now our biggest office yet, 93 Tarbert Street.
The push for having a Kaupapa Māori organisation in Central Otago was led by Whaea Francie Diver. Over the past few years Uruuruwhenua has seen significant growth internally and externally. Whaea Francie said that Uruuruwhenua Hauora has far exceeded her vision and hopes for the kaupapa.
Our Values
Aroha
We, as Kaimahi, support each other in a positive and caring environment. We support our Whānau from a non-judgemental, all-inclusive perspective as much as possible. Everything we do is from the heart and with love for Te Ao Māori.
Manaakitanga
Everyone that visits our Whare, or that we mahi with, is treated with courtesy and respect. All Whānau feel welcomed and safe. All Whānau feel heard and understood. Whānau are aware they are the Kaitiaki of their Mana. Whānau feel supported and encouraged to be the best they can be.
Whanaungatanga
We, as Whānau mahi are united and stand as one. We combine our skills, knowledge, and strengths to provide the Korowai of support for our Whānau.
As many of our whānau are disconnected from their Whakapapa, Whenua, and Whānau, we provide a sense of Whanaunga/connection in all we do. This will support whānau to feel a sense of belonging, kinship, and safe within Te Ao Māori.
We strengthen our relationships with partnering agencies, to ensure others are also able to support our whānau to be the best they can be.
Kaitiakitanga
We respect our Whenua and encourage others to do the same.
We are Kaitiaki of our Whenua
We respect our Tinana and encourage others to do the same.
We are Kaitiaki of our Tinana
We respect our Hinengaro and encourage others to do the same
We are Kaitiaki of our Hinengaro
We respect our Wairua and encourage others to do the same
We are Kaitiaki of our Wairua
We respect Whānau and encourage others to do the same.
We are Kaitiaki of our Whānau
Meet Our Team
Melanie Kuiti
Kaiwhakahaere - CEO
(Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga)
Tania McEwan
Kaiwhakahaere Putea - Finance Manager
Lana John RN
Manukura Hauora
Georgia Single
Social Service Manager
(Ngāti Kahungungu)
Alva Bennett
Kaimanaaki
(Te Arawa, Ngāi Tuhoe)
Karen Beazley
Kaiwhakahaere Tari
(Ngā Puhi)
Hannah Jenkins RN
Outreach Coordinator
Denise Fowler
Whānau Ora Kaitūwhana
Kath Martin
Outreach Kaiāwhina & Vaccinating Health Worker
Charlene Roscoe - Bell
Kaiāwhina Hauora & Vaccinating Health Worker
Kelly Toa
Care Coordinator
(Ngāpuhi)
Grant Olds
Waka Ama Coordinator / Coach
Henry Heather
.Waka Coach / Mentor
Tremain Cannell
Rangatahi Navigator
(Ngāti Porou)
Aaliyah Fowler
Manukura Whānau Ora / Kaitūwhana
(Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha)
Zain-Star Thomas - Kavanagh
Kaiārahi Mātauranga Māori
(Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Ruapani ki Waikaremoana, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa)
Tamara Nu'u
Kaiārahi Te Hurihanga
(Te Aupōuri)
Meet Our Board
Prof. Colin Mantell
(Ngāi Tahu)
Kaumātua
Dr. Mantell provides cultural leadership, guidance, and support to the Board and organisation, ensuring tikanga and kaupapa Māori values remain central to governance and decision-making.
Whaea Louise McKenzie
(Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara and Ngāti Wai ki Mahurangi)
Chairperson
Louise brings more than 40 years of experience in education, including roles as a school teacher, adult educator, pre-school educator, and advisor. She is Co-Founder of Te Ao Huri Inc., Secretary of Dunstan Community Whare Trust, and Poutokomanawa for Stand Tū Māia in the Otago/Southland region.
Elsie Lyon
(Ngāti Kahungunu)
Deputy Chairperson
Elsie is Co-Owner and Operator of Peter and Elsie Lyon Shearing, with almost 40 years of experience in the shearing industry. She has extensive experience employing seasonal and permanent staff, with a workforce of 200–250 people and more during peak season. Elsie is actively involved with crop and animal production societies and is a Life Member of the New Zealand Merino Shearing Society.
Whaea Francie Diver QSM
(Ngāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, and Waitaha)
Board Member
Francie is Co-Founder of Uruuruwhenua Health Inc. and Co-Founder of Te Ao Huri Inc.. She has served as a Director of Dunstan Hospital, Poutokomanawa for Stand Tū Māia Otago/Southland, and member of the Central Otago Police Māori Advisory Committee. Her
previous governance experience includes serving on the National Advisory Council on Employment for Women and as a Deputy Community Member of the Mental Health Review Tribunal.
Ken Taylor
Board Member
Ken is a High Country Consultant and Rural Valuer with extensive expertise in rural property, land management, and governance. He is a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Valuers, a Member of the Valuers Registration Board, and a Fellow of the New Zealand Association of Rural Professionals. He has served on numerous boards and committees. Ken is closely connected to the Pasifika migrant working community, providing pastoral care through the church.
Dr Miriama Ketu - McKenzie (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Whakatere)
Board Member
Dr. Ketu-McKenzie is a Registered Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Advisor for WellSouth Otago/Southland, and Senior Professional Practice Fellow in the Clinical Psychology Programme at University of Otago.
Kirsten Knights (Ngāpuhi)
Board Member
Kirsten is Director at Checketts McKay Law and a Commercial and Property Lawyer with over 20 years of experience. She leads the firm’s Rural, Agribusiness, Water and Irrigation team. Her legal background also includes prosecution, youth advocacy, and family law. She has served on several boards and committee
