Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Tamara Ruakere

Tamara Ruakere

New Plymouth

Summary

I am a values-driven leader with extensive experience in service delivery, operational leadership, and whānau-centred programme design. I bring a strong track record in building high-performing teams, developing culturally responsive services, and leading across complex environments. My commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and embedding Te Ao Māori frameworks is foundational to my leadership approach. I am adept at managing stakeholder relationships, overseeing performance, and leading through change.

Overview

11
11
years of professional experience

Work History

Kaiwhakahaere Whānau Engagement & Innovation Lead

Tui Ora Ltd
01.2023 - 01.2024
  • Led the end-to-end delivery of whānau engagement initiatives across multiple community sites, ensuring consistency, quality, and cultural integrity in service delivery.
  • Proactively built relationships with iwi, local businesses, and social sector partners to co-design services and attract investment.
  • Championed the successful establishment of the Mākona Coffee Cart initiative, supporting youth development and increasing regional visibility.
  • Designed operational systems and processes to ensure compliance, performance monitoring, and improvement.
  • Recruited, trained, and coached young staff, demonstrating a strong commitment to growing capability and fostering a high-performance team culture.
  • Embedded te reo Māori and tikanga into daily operations and team engagement practices, fostering inclusive, culturally safe environments.

General Manager Whānau Ora Service Delivery

Tui Ora Ltd
01.2018 - 01.2023
  • Provided strategic and operational leadership across several high-impact services including Public Health, Mental Health, Youth Development, and Tamariki Ora.
  • Oversaw performance and professional development across a dispersed workforce, including team leaders, frontline practitioners, and support staff.
  • Ensured consistent delivery of services aligned with compliance, quality assurance, and community expectations.
  • Financial planning, procurement, and contract performance — ensuring efficient use of resources and achievement of service-level outcomes.
  • Co-led the COVID-19 response for Māori communities in Taranaki, working in close partnership with Te Whatu Ora, Māori providers and iwi, significantly increasing vaccination rates.
  • Led the development of the organisation’s Whānau Ora strategy — a cross-sector initiative grounded in partnership, equity, and outcome-based service delivery.

Oranga Hāpori Service Lead

Tui Ora Ltd
01.2015 - 01.2017
  • Led multi-disciplinary teams and established operational service integration, delivery, aligned with performance standards and community needs.
  • Designed and embedded health and safety frameworks, ensuring the wellbeing of staff and communities.
  • Strengthened inter-agency collaborations, including iwi, government departments, and NGOs, to support equity of service access.
  • Implemented continuous improvement initiatives by reviewing practice, engaging staff feedback, and refining delivery models.

Public Health Service Lead

Tui Ora Ltd
01.2013 - 01.2015
  • Led the establishment of the Public Health Service, overseeing the recruitment and formation of teams, ensuring effective service delivery through strategic planning, project development, and performance monitoring.
  • Developed and implemented strategic plans and projects, managing contract services and reporting outcomes to ensure alignment with organizational goals and customer needs.
  • Fostered strong partnerships with Māori health organizations to enhance service delivery, improving outcomes for Māori communities through culturally responsive programs and initiatives.
  • Contributed to policy development and service reviews, utilizing data-driven insights to continuously improve service delivery, operational effectiveness, and customer satisfaction.
  • Engaged in regional and national forums, representing the organization and influencing public health initiatives, while ensuring the integration of diverse perspectives into service planning.

Education

Bachelor's Degree - Māori & Education

Te Whare WaanangaWaikato
01.1999

Certificate - Sport and Recreation

Taranaki Polytechnic
01.1996

Te Tohu Mōhiotanga, Diploma - Māori language

Taranaki Polytechnic
01.1994

Skills

  • Service & operational leadership
  • Staff management and capability development
  • Culturally responsive programme design
  • Strategic partnerships & stakeholder engagement
  • Change and performance management
  • Te Reo Māori me ōna Tikanga
  • Health & safety leadership
  • Budgeting & contract management
  • Customer-focused decision-making
  • Coaching & team culture building

Timeline

Kaiwhakahaere Whānau Engagement & Innovation Lead

Tui Ora Ltd
01.2023 - 01.2024

General Manager Whānau Ora Service Delivery

Tui Ora Ltd
01.2018 - 01.2023

Oranga Hāpori Service Lead

Tui Ora Ltd
01.2015 - 01.2017

Public Health Service Lead

Tui Ora Ltd
01.2013 - 01.2015

Certificate - Sport and Recreation

Taranaki Polytechnic

Te Tohu Mōhiotanga, Diploma - Māori language

Taranaki Polytechnic

Bachelor's Degree - Māori & Education

Te Whare WaanangaWaikato

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Tamara Ruakere