Call for better use of resources in mental health and drug addiction services – NZ Herald
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David Letele @ MahiTahi Expo 2026
Whakapapa
Ngā Uri o Ngāti Porou, Ngai Te Upokoiri, Rakaipaaka, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngā Puhi anō hoki. Ko Moana-lee Mackey ahau.
I tipu ake Au
Born in Ahuriri in the late 60’s. Shared upbringing with my birth parents and whaangai parents in Omahu and Paki Paki. Schooled at Fernhill School before my dad’s job had us moving to Tawapata (Mahia Peninsula) and Karetu (Bay of Islands). I moved back to the Bay to attend Hato Hohepa (Greenmeadows).
Mahi
I headed off to Teachers College & Massey University in the 90’s after working for Māori Affairs, The Apple & Pear Board and tutoring in PTEs around Hawkes Bay. Currently I’m employed as a Kaiako at Te Kura (The Correspondence School) after a 20+ year career in mainstream education. Working at Te Kura has been a game changer.
Governance
Over the last 7 years I’ve moved into the Governance sector as the Mangai for Omahu Marae on the Board of Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga. Ongoing learning and accumulated expertise has shaped my effective practices and strategic insight. With my recent appointment on the Board of Witt, I’m committed to bringing my learned experience and knowledge to enhance the current board’s excellence and forward-thinking approaches.
My Time
whānau Rongoā Māori Sisterhood SwimmingiI
Mahi Toi
A director of Star Food Service, Kurt has a strong focus on process and structure. Completing a Bachelor of Business studies in 2014, Kurt is also a negotiator and transaction specialist, with empathy and understanding towards people from all walks of life.
Away from work Kurt has a young family and a keen interest in substance rehabilitation and assisting people who are wanting to change their lives.
A Senior Health Executive with over 20 years as a CEO across a range of healthcare providers and commissioners including Waikato DHB and Hawke’s Bay DHB. Prior to this Kevin spent 20 years as a public health physician. Kevin has a focus on addressing inequity particularly in relation to the rights of Maori and Pacific peoples.
Kevin is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors.
John’s career over the last 30 years has included practising as commercial lawyer with Chapman Tripp, focusing on a wide range of capital markets and financing transactions. John brings a wealth of legal, commercial and governance expertise to the WITT Board. He is also a director of the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union.
In his spare time John enjoys walking, watching sport, and playing scratchy golf.
With 40 years of nursing under her belt, the past 15 of which as Hawke’s Bay DHB’s chief nursing and midwifery officer, Chris McKenna says nursing has definitely been the right career for her. Chris is a fantastic advocate for nursing and the value this role brings to primary and secondary services. In the last three years, Chris has been the Covid 19 Senior Responsible Officer when regional case numbers topped 1,000 daily. This was challenging and evolved into developing intersectoral partnership and particularly with lwi to get the mahi done, which has resulted in over 400,000 Covid vaccinations for the sector.
Chris has four children and 10 grandchildren. In any spare time she has Chris enjoys gardening, walking, and fishing.
Phil is a Chartered Accountant with 30 years’ commercial experience, and 20 years of commercial governance experience as a former Director of Lowe Corporation, Apollo Apples, and First Light Foods. He is a former Trustee of the Helicopter Rescue Trust and St Patrick’s School.
Phil is semi-retired and continues to assist businesses with strategy, governance, and finance. In his spare time, he enjoys golf, fishing, spending time in Taupo and supporting his extended family.