Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
PERSONAL VALUES
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Rachael Hāte

Picton

Summary

Ko te hauora o te iwi te tino kaupapa – the wellbeing of our people is the central purpose that has guided my leadership across the health and public sectors. I am a committed advocate for equity, with experience leading strategy, service delivery, and system transformation grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi and mātauranga Māori. I believe that true progress for Māori health must be led in partnership with whānau, hapū, iwi and hauora māori partners, and must centre the voices, aspirations and mana of our people.

My professional journey reflects more than 10 years of senior leadership in complex, cross-agency environments, where I have successfully championed policies and services that advance equity, address structural barriers, and deliver measurable outcomes. I bring a track record of operational excellence, political acuity, and strategic foresight. Whether managing high-performing portfolios, leading cross-functional teams, or building partnerships with Māori organisations, I have always remained grounded in whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, and collective accountability.

I lead with influence and integrity, fostering strong relationships across iwi Māori Partnership Boards, regional leadership groups, and national policy forums. I know that our success is built on trust, cultural safety, and the courage to challenge systems that do not serve our people. I am committed to nurturing leadership pathways for Māori, building capacity within our communities, and embedding the principles of Pae Ora into the design, delivery and monitoring of care.

As Regional Director for Te Waipounamu, I would bring not only a wealth of experience, but a deep personal and professional commitment to transformative Māori health leadership. I see this role as a rare opportunity to contribute to a new, unified future for hauora in Aotearoa — a future defined by equity, integrity, and tino rangatiratanga.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience

Work History

Director, Hauora Māori Services

Te Whatu Ora
04.2023 - Current
  • Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
  • Established a culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
  • Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
  • Facilitated cross-functional collaboration for improved decision-making processes within the organisation.

Regional Manager, NIP Programme

Ministry of Health
01.2022 - 03.2023
  • Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members.
  • Fostered partnerships with industry leaders, enhancing company's reputation and creating new business opportunities.

Manukura

Te Pūtahitanga O Te Waipounamu
01.2020 - 12.2022

Provided guidance and leadership support to the Whānau Ora navigator collective in Te Waipounamu

Advocated for professional development pathways for the navigator collective

Contract managed 80x whānau ora contracts

Director

Maraka Consultancy Limited
03.2019 - Current


  • Mentored team members for professional development, resulting in increased productivity and job satisfaction.
  • Provided ongoing direction and leadership for program operations.
  • Advanced community outreach efforts by forging strong relationships with local partners.

Chairperson

Te Ātiawa O Te Waka a Māui Trust
11.2019 - Current
  • Elected trustee in November 2019 and held the Chair role since 2020
  • Implemented governance best practices to enhance board effectiveness and accountability.
  • Promoted organisational transparency by implementing clear reporting structures and open communication channels.
  • Provided guidance on policy development, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and industry standards.


Early Years Principal

The English Playgroup, Kuwait
01.2016 - 01.2018
  • Responsible for leading and management of all aspects of 26 Early Years Branches across Kuwait
  • Leading accreditation process with COBIS

Head of Early Years

Cambridge English School, Kuwait
01.2015 - 01.2016
  • Mentoring Newly Qualified Teachers [NQT]
  • Overseeing the new Classroom Monitor system

Deputy Head of Primary

Cambridge English School, Kuwait
01.2013 - 01.2014
  • Recruitment and Workforce plan lead
  • Higher staff retention through robust professional development plan

Education

Bachelor of Education -

New Zealand Tertiary College
01.2018

Diploma of Primary Teaching - undefined

Christchurch College of Education
01.1999

Certificate of Bilingual Teaching - undefined

Lincoln University

Skills

  • Experienced in strategic leadership
  • Effective communication
  • Skilled in managing professional relationships
  • Collaborative strategic planning
  • Collaborative decision-making
  • Team management

PERSONAL VALUES

  • Professionalism
  • Agile, flexible
  • Kotahitanga
  • Manaakitanga
  • Whānaungatanga

Languages

English
Full Professional
Maori
Limited Working
Arabic
Elementary

Timeline

Director, Hauora Māori Services

Te Whatu Ora
04.2023 - Current

Regional Manager, NIP Programme

Ministry of Health
01.2022 - 03.2023

Manukura

Te Pūtahitanga O Te Waipounamu
01.2020 - 12.2022

Chairperson

Te Ātiawa O Te Waka a Māui Trust
11.2019 - Current

Director

Maraka Consultancy Limited
03.2019 - Current

Early Years Principal

The English Playgroup, Kuwait
01.2016 - 01.2018

Head of Early Years

Cambridge English School, Kuwait
01.2015 - 01.2016

Deputy Head of Primary

Cambridge English School, Kuwait
01.2013 - 01.2014

Diploma of Primary Teaching - undefined

Christchurch College of Education

Certificate of Bilingual Teaching - undefined

Lincoln University

Bachelor of Education -

New Zealand Tertiary College
Rachael Hāte