Louise Reihana
Moerewa
Summary
Ka nukunuku Ka nekeneke, Ka nukunuku ka nekeneke
titiro ki ngā Tai o Tokerau e hora nei ki tua, me he pīpīwharauroa takoto te pai takoto te pai.
Dynamic and culturally grounded public health leader with extensive experience in embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles into strategic health initiatives. Expertise in fostering equity-focused outcomes, utilizing mātauranga Māori, cultural safety, and building relationships with iwi, hapū, and Māori providers. Strong background in outbreak management, communicable disease prevention, and immunization programs. Successfully led high-performing teams to deliver impactful health solutions. Analytical thinker with technical expertise and commitment to servant leadership, driving innovative approaches to public health challenges. Ensuring communities thrive through equitable and culturally safe connections.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Kaitaki mana whakahaere – Regional Maori Lead
National Public Health Service, Northern Region, Health NZ, Te Whatu Ora
12.2023 - Current
- Established Key Relationships: Developed and fostered meaningful partnerships with IMBP, Hauora Māori services, and mana whenua to strengthen regional public health collaboration with Hauora Māori partners to plan and distribute funding/procurement for contracts, projects and initiatives.
- Mātauranga Māori Integration: Led a team of adviser's to design and implemented Mātauranga Māori approaches into regional public health teams, health promotion initiatives, learning and development programs, communicable disease surveillance processes, Immunisation protocols and practises and quality governance frameworks.
- Te Tiriti Implementation: Implemented the integration of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Pae ora and He whakaputanga into local council submissions, health policies, and regional operational protocols, including the use and training of Te Tiriti framework implementation tool.
- Māori Workforce Development: Actively supported the development of Māori workforce pathways, including leadership initiatives and partnerships with Hauora Māori service partners.
- Health Promotion Frameworks: Designed and implemented health promotion framework using Mātauranga Māori and Te Tai Tokerau pūrākau, while establishing kaumātua/kuia and rangatahi rōpu to address mental well-being and the wider determinants of health and what impact on Māori communities,
- Surveillance, Evaluation and Response Systems: Developed a bespoke Māori communicable disease surveillance system and implemented partnership models for communicable disease operations (ie: Measles, Meningococcal, Pertusiss, Mpox) enhancing regional response to adverse events and escalations. Measure progress and evaluate effectiveness.
NCTS Specialist and Team Lead
Nga Tai Ora, Public Health Northland, Te Whatu Ora
02.2021 - 12.2023
- Provided leadership for the day-to-day operations of the National Contact Tracing Solution (NCTS) as Ngā Tai Ora technical specialist. Led Te Tai Hononga team, comprising predominantly of Māori and Pacific registered nurses, established as a contact-tracing unit during the national COVID-19 pandemic response.
- Collaborated with iwi Māori providers and kaupapa Māori leaders to organize stakeholder hui, foster whakawhanaungatanga, and engage with communities, delivering services to the underserved.
- As a statutory officer worked with the wider Public Health and Hauora Māori Nurses to address declining vaccination rates and build a cohesive team culture. Integrated te reo me ōna tikanga Māori into workforce development, outbreak management, and immunisation priorities.
- Developed a power screening assessment tool under manaakitanga principles, empowering whānau to exercise mana motuhake as part of a solution-focused approach. Offered technical advice on NCTS systems, reviewed procedures, and adapted systems to community priorities and equity goals.
- Planned and organized rosters and caseloads using a more agile and flexible concept, fostering an inclusive culture rooted in mātauranga.
Technical Officer Shellfish and Mosquito programmes / Communicable diseases
Nga Tai Ora, Public Health Northland DHB
10.2018 - 02.2021
- Conducted surveillance of shellfish and mosquito border health programs and communicable diseases, serving as a technical expert to analyze samples, interpret results, and provide equitable public health advice to prevent disease outbreaks.
- Managed communicable disease cases, including contact tracing, utilising the Episurv national database for investigations, and reporting potential health risks and determinants.
- Collaborated with the Ministry for Primary Industries as a technical expert to draft sanitary surveys and annual reports for commercial farmers and issue recreational shellfish biotoxin alerts.
- Performed health protection duties, including outbreak management, mosquito and drinking water surveillance, shellfish sampling, sewage spill monitoring, and climate control reviews.
- Provided feedback on council submissions to ensure public health considerations were integrated into policy and operational planning
Community health worker – Lead Rheumatic Fever / Outreach / Whanau Ora
Te Hau Ora O Ngapuhi
08.2016 - 10.2018
- Led daily operations of a rheumatic fever prevention program, coordinating efforts across primary, intermediate, and high schools in Kaikohe and surrounding areas.
- Conducted throat swabbing, interpreted results, delivered medication, and provided health education to children in high-risk, high-priority environments.
- Collaborated with Manawa ora and performed housing assessments and implemented whānau-centred interventions to address social determinants of health and improve community outcomes
- Analyzed program data, assessed workforce competencies, and implemented evaluation processes to ensure continual service improvement based on whānau feedback.
- Prepared detailed reports, including narrative justifications and statistical analyses, to support program outcomes and accountability.
Projects Coordinator
Moerewa School
05.2013 - 03.2015
Quality Assurance Supervisor
Sanford Ltd
11.2008 - 02.2012
- Managed a team of 200 staff, overseeing daily factory operations with a focus on producing high-quality raw seafood for local and export markets.
- Provided expertise in scientific processes and demonstrated effective leadership to ensure staff productivity and operational efficiency.
- Managed risks of microbial contamination and oversaw quality systems to optimize throughput and maintain compliance with export standards.
- Collaborated with local iwi and hapū, coordinating contracts with Ngāti Rehia and Te Rūnanga O Whaingaroa.
- Prepared financial budgets and forecasting reports to support business continuity, manage wages, and drive revenue growth.
- Enhanced health and safety procedures, reducing lost-time events through initiatives such as micro pauses, personnel awareness workshops, and fostering openness to innovative ideas.
- Promoted and marketed the company at national seafood festivals, enhancing brand visibility and sales.
Microbiological Lab Supervisor
AsureQuality Ltd
03.2002 - 10.2008
Quality Control / Microbiological Sampler
AFFco Ltd
11.1999 - 03.2002
Education
Māori Public Health Leadership Program -
06.2023
St Johns First aid training and refresh -
07.2022
Shipping and sanitation certificate designation -
01.2020
Sewage Treatment certificate -
01.2019
MPI – Shellfish Technical expert designation -
01.2019
Communicable disease and Episurv training -
01.2018
NDHB – Swab competency training and review -
01.2016
Seafood Processing Level 4 Certificate -
10.2011
Budgets For Planning And Control Certificate
Open Polytechnic
12-2009
Nelson Marlborough shellfish Leadership course -
01.2009
Nelson Marlborough shellfish Leadership course -
01.2009
NZFSA Las accreditation and sample trainer -
03.2005
Bachelor of science - Microbiology
Auckland University
03.2002
Skills
- Te Tiriti o Waitangi Expertise: Deep understanding and application of Te Tiriti principles in public health and leadership contexts
- Cultural Leadership: Embedding mātauranga Māori and te reo me ōna tikanga Māori into public health policies, initiatives and workforce development
- Public Health Leadership: Experience as a Kaitaki Mana Whakahaere and specialist roles addressing communicable diseases, outbreak management, determinants of health and immunisation strategies
- Stakeholder Engagement: Building relationships with iwi, hapū, and Māori providers; facilitating hui and community engagements
- Project Management: Leading health initiatives such as contact tracing, rheumatic fever prevention, and shellfish monitoring programs
- Technical Expertise in Public Health: Skills in database management (eg, NCTS, NCDMS), Boarder health, communicable disease case management, and technical report and policy writing (eg, Sanitary surveys)
- Workforce Development: Training, mentoring, and supporting Māori and Pacific teams in culturally safe practices
- Quality Assurance: Managing quality systems in seafood processing and national public health programs to meet safety and regulatory standards
- Analytical Thinking: Data analysis, risk management, and development of tools like manaakitanga-based clinical screening assessments
- Communication Skills: Articulate and well-spoken in both Te Reo Māori and English, with experience in writing reports, facilitating hui, and representing organizations at governance levels
- Operational Agility: Planning and organizing rosters, managing budgets, and improving systems to align with community priorities
- Community Engagement: Coordinating initiatives like school health programs and whānau interventions to improve health equity
Voluntary and community involvement
- Supported kaiako to develop a science program for teina, tuakana and taiohi at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Taumarere and Moerewa School
- Involvement in whānau land trust as a proxy for Arohanui Moerangi Reihana trust whānau.
- Kaiawhina at the marae during tangi and other hui.
- Managing netball teams in the Moerewa community.
- Coordinating Oscar after school care.
- Kapahaka member for Waerenga te kaha – Ngatihine roopu.
Timeline
Kaitaki mana whakahaere – Regional Maori Lead
National Public Health Service, Northern Region, Health NZ, Te Whatu Ora
12.2023 - Current
NCTS Specialist and Team Lead
Nga Tai Ora, Public Health Northland, Te Whatu Ora
02.2021 - 12.2023
Technical Officer Shellfish and Mosquito programmes / Communicable diseases
Nga Tai Ora, Public Health Northland DHB
10.2018 - 02.2021
Community health worker – Lead Rheumatic Fever / Outreach / Whanau Ora
Te Hau Ora O Ngapuhi
08.2016 - 10.2018
Projects Coordinator
Moerewa School
05.2013 - 03.2015
Quality Assurance Supervisor
Sanford Ltd
11.2008 - 02.2012
Microbiological Lab Supervisor
AsureQuality Ltd
03.2002 - 10.2008
Quality Control / Microbiological Sampler
AFFco Ltd
11.1999 - 03.2002
St Johns First aid training and refresh -
Shipping and sanitation certificate designation -
Sewage Treatment certificate -
MPI – Shellfish Technical expert designation -
Communicable disease and Episurv training -
NDHB – Swab competency training and review -
Seafood Processing Level 4 Certificate -
Nelson Marlborough shellfish Leadership course -
Nelson Marlborough shellfish Leadership course -
NZFSA Las accreditation and sample trainer -
Bachelor of science - Microbiology
Auckland University
Māori Public Health Leadership Program -
Budgets For Planning And Control Certificate
Open Polytechnic
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