Maori president for National Council of Women

Lisa Lawrence, Ngati Kahungunu, Ruapani | Photo supplied

Nelson health service manager Lisa Lawrence from Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāti Ruapani has been named the first Māori to head the National Council of Women.

Ms Lawrence has served as vice president since 2017 and will replace Vanisa Dhiru in the voluntary position.

She says the challenge for Māori leadership in mainstream spaces is that it is not seen as tokenism, while also supporting the membership to grow and recognise themselves in a Tiriti o Waitangi based society.

She is kaiwhakahaere of the Motueka Family Service Centre and also holds numerous leadership roles across the region and nationally including with NZ Psychology Board and Pharmac.

Previously she has worked for an iwi-based health and social service, NZ College of Midwives, St John, Family Planning NZ, and was a governor of Nelson Bays Primary Health.

Ms Lawrence says pay equity will continue to be a major focus for the Council.
 

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