Joanne Tuhakaraina
Wellington,NZ
Summary
- Ko tōku Ao Māori te pou herenga o tōku mahi. I am a high-performing and community-minded professional with extensive leadership, operational, and management experience across health, social services, and commissioning. My work is grounded in kaupapa Māori frameworks and whānau-centred approaches, with a focus on embedding equity, mana motuhake, and long-term systems transformation. I bring strong governance support, business management, and operational oversight skills, complemented by postgraduate study, including the Master of Māori and Indigenous Leadership. This academic foundation has enabled me to critically analyse systems, apply Indigenous methodologies, and strengthen the connection between strategy, governance, operations, and delivery. I have the capability to navigate both Te Ao Māori and wider institutional contexts, ensuring that policy and practice are informed by values of integrity, collective responsibility, and culturally grounded leadership.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Business Manager
Māhutonga Commissioning Agency (Te Rūnanga O Toa Rangatira)
01.2025 - Current
- Provided high-level support to the General Manager – Whānau Ora.
- Coordinated business planning, reporting, and governance processes.
- Instituted data-driven approach to decision-making, leveraging analytics to guide business strategies.
- Oversaw contract management, performance monitoring, and reporting frameworks.
- Prepared governance papers, ensured quality assurance, and aligned outputs with strategic direction of Māhutonga.
- Supported delivery of Whānau Ora outcomes through value-led, culturally grounded practice.
Business Manager
Toa Te Roopu Āwhina Social Services (Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira)
01.2022 - 01.2024
- Oversaw operational, financial, and administrative functions.
- Supported and advised the General Manager in decision-making, acting as stand-in when required.
- Spearheaded recruitment and hiring process and compiled training materials for new and existing team members.
- Managed cross-functional teams, ensuring timely completion of projects within budget constraints.
- Streamlined business processes by implementing new project management tools and techniques.
- Managed budgets, compliance, and organisational systems to ensure sustainability.
- Strengthened governance and reporting processes.
- Supported frontline teams to deliver high-quality, whānau-centred services.
Area Manager – Census Collections
Stats NZ
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Led a team of 130 staff including 13 team leads across Kapiti, Horowhenua, and Hutt Valley region.
- Oversaw operational planning, compliance, and performance monitoring.
- Built community participation strategies and networks.
- Managed daily operations for optimal performance, ensuring timely completion of tasks and projects.
- Conducted training sessions to educate employees on best practices and procedures to increase profitability.
- Continuously improved operational procedures through ongoing evaluation of existing practices, incorporating feedback from team members and adopting industry best practices.
Māori Regional Equity Lead
Central Region DHB
01.2022 - 01.2022
- Worked with regional DHBs to implement equity-focused recruitment and service delivery strategies.
- Developed Māori and Pacific equity plans for bowel screening.
- Supported DHBs to target high-priority populations.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
Programme Lead/Coordinator
Support to Screen EBOP/WBOP
2016 - 01.2022
- Led regional cervical and breast screening initiatives.
- Achieved record Māori women’s screening coverage of over 80% nationally.
- Maintained comprehensive records of project status updates and communications with wāhine for easy reference during meetings or audits.
- Created detailed project plans outlining timelines, resources needed, and key milestones for successful execution.
- Entered data, generated reports, and produced tracking documents.
- Coordinated community outreach, cultural training, and transport initiatives.
Store Manager
McDonalds NZ
01.2003 - 01.2015
- Managed operations, staff, and customer service in a high-pressure environment.
- Managed inventory control, cash control, and store opening and closing procedures.
- Addressed customer complaints promptly and professionally, resolving issues to maintain positive relationships with clientele.
- Managed store employees successfully in fast-paced environment through proactive communication and positive feedback.
Education
Master's in Māori And Indigenous Leadership - History
University of Canterbury
Christchurch, New Zealand, NZ04-2026
Certificate of Proficiency in Arts -
University of Canterbury
Christchurch, New Zealand, NZ01.2024
Skills
- Strategic & Business Management
- Governance & Board Support
- Stakeholder & Community Engagement
- Operational Oversight & Compliance
- Risk & Performance Monitoring
- Financial & Contract Management
- Team Leadership & Capability Building
- Culturally Grounded Service Delivery
- Relationship Building
- Strong Emotional Intelligence
- Community Service
- Communication & Negotiation
- Leadership & Team Management
- Strategic & Analytical Thinking
- Problem Solving
- Organisational Planning
- Facilitation & Mentorship
Accomplishments
- Commissioning & Governance Leadership – Supported governance processes at Māhutonga Commissioning Agency, preparing board documentation, coordinating investment planning, and acting as a delegate for the General Manager.
- Business Management in Social Services – Strengthened operational systems and financial management at Toa Te Roopu Āwhina Social Services, supporting service decisions and standing in for the GM when required.
- Operational Oversight at Scale – Led Census Collection operations for Stats NZ across Kāpiti, Horowhenua, and Hutt Valley, managing 130 staff and ensuring compliance, safety, and efficiency.
- Equity in Health Outcomes – Delivered innovative strategies as Programme Lead for Support to Screen, achieving record-breaking coverage of over 80% for Māori wāhine in cervical and breast screening.
- Community Engagement & Systems Change – Partnered with iwi, hapū, and providers to embed kaupapa Māori and mana motuhake principles in health and social services.
- Academic Advancement – Progressing the Master of Māori and Indigenous Leadership and postgraduate study in the Arts, applying Indigenous leadership frameworks and equity methodologies.
Certification
- Social Investment Certificate – Social Value Aotearoa, July 2025
- Financial Essentials Training – Institute of Directors New Zealand, March 2025
- Governance Training – Institute of Directors New Zealand, May 2025
- Cultural Training / Te Tiriti
- Waitangi – Graham Cameron (BOP DHB), 2021
- Leadership Training – Linda Hutchings, 2021
- Software Solutions: Excel (Level 2 & 3), Word (Level 1), 2020
Languages
Maori
Full Professional
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Business Manager
Māhutonga Commissioning Agency (Te Rūnanga O Toa Rangatira)
01.2025 - Current
Business Manager
Toa Te Roopu Āwhina Social Services (Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira)
01.2022 - 01.2024
Māori Regional Equity Lead
Central Region DHB
01.2022 - 01.2022
Area Manager – Census Collections
Stats NZ
01.2021 - 01.2023
Store Manager
McDonalds NZ
01.2003 - 01.2015
Programme Lead/Coordinator
Support to Screen EBOP/WBOP
2016 - 01.2022
Master's in Māori And Indigenous Leadership - History
University of Canterbury
Certificate of Proficiency in Arts -
University of Canterbury
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