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Download AudioThe South Island whanau ora commissioning agency has selected Ivy Harper as its new pouarahi or chief executive.
Ms Harper has been sharing the role on an interim basis since the departure of Helen Leahy in May.
She joined the organisation in 2018 as a strategic analyst, having previously worked in government as a senior advisor to then-Whānau Ora Minister Tariana Turia.
Te Pūtahitanga chair Ta Mark Solomon says staff have welcomed the news of her appointment as someone who truly understands the essence of Whānau Ora and the work they do.
Ms Harper says it’s great she can continue doing the job she loves.
“Positioning whānau at the centre of all we do is the main thing for ourselves and listening to their dreams and aspirations and giving them that opportunity, that’ll have to be the greatest kaupapa for me and indeed for Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu,” she says.
Highlights of her first week include awards for two initiatives supported by Te Pūtahitanga – Reni Wereta-Gargiulo of Nelson-based Kiwi Kai, who won the top award at the Māori Women’s Development awards, and 16-year-old twins Tanemahuta and Teakaraupo Pakeha-Heke who received the Local Impact Award at the Festival for the Future youth awards for their commitment to ending whānau violence through their work with Tū Pono Mana Tangata in Ōtautahi.
in Tāmaki Makaurau. Based in Nelson, Kiwi Kai is a business that celebrates Māori kai while promoting healthy eating for better wellbeing.
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