Waharua Kōpito Consumer Council
The Waharua Kōpito Consumer Council works in partnership with Te Whatu Ora Taranaki to improve the healthcare experience for everyone in the community, but particularly for high-needs populations including Māori, youth, people living in rural communities and those with disabilities.
This group places the consumer (patient) and whānau voice at the centre of all aspects of the region’s healthcare. This is important to ensure that the planning, design, and delivery of services continues to meet the needs of the Taranaki community.The Waharua Kōpito Consumer Council is operating a two-whare structure. Membership of the council reflects the Te Tiriti-lead model with members allocated to one of two whare: Tangata Whenua and Tangata Te Tiriti.
Our ingoa is inspired by the Tāniko design found in the imagery and concepts of Te Whatu Ora its name and tohu or logo. Waharua Kōpito is where two diamond shapes, said to be representative of mouths, will meet. This meeting place is the central point of the design and it alerts the weaver that a change or shift in the design is about to occur. Waharua Kōpito therefore is symbolic of the consumer, person and their whānau being at the centre of healthcare. The concept of Waharua also aligns with our commitments to a Two Whare structure and the courage to model and advocate true Partnership and Co-design approaches.
He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tāngata he tāngata he tāngata
What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, It is people, It is people
Latest News
Being a voice for whanau and community drives newly appointed Consumer Council co-chairs
Passion for positive healthcare experiences has driven Paula King and Jane Parker-Bishop to be a voice for change in their newly appointed roles as co-chairs of the inaugural Te Whatu Ora Taranaki Consumer Council... READ MORE
Terms of Reference
Consumer Council Terms of Reference (PDF 75 KB)
The Role
Role description (PDF 220 KB)
Contact us
Consumer Council
Email: consumer.council@tdhb.org.nz
Consumer Council meeting minutes
Member profiles
TANGATA WHENUA
Paula King (Co-chair)
Ko Taranaki te mounga
Ko Oanui te awa
Ko Kurahaupo te waka
Ko Taranaki te iwi
Ko Ngati Tara te hapū
He uri au o Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāruahinerangi hoki
Ko Paula King taku ingoa
Paula was born in our region’s coastal township of Opunake and raised in Ngāmotu. With her husband Jack she has five adult children and one mokopuna with another on the way. Paula was locally trained as a registered nurse and works at Te Kahu Pairuri ki Taranaki (Hospice Taranaki) as clinical nurse educator and kaitakawaenga/Māori liaison.
Paula’s experience as a consumer or as a whānau member of others accessing health services has resulted in a sense of responsibility to contribute towards achieving positive, equitable health outcomes and experiences for others, particularly for Māori.
She believes the health sector has a unique place in the lives of the community it serves across the life course from birth, childhood, adolescence, adulthood to death. This inherently comes with the responsibility for both parties to work in partnership to achieve Pae Ora Healthy futures. Paula’s keen to do her part.
Angela Kerehoma
Ko Taranaki te maunga
Ko Aotea te waka
Ko Waingongoro te awa
Ko Ngarahinerangi te iwi
Ko Okahu-Inuawai, Rangatapu me ētehi atu ngā hapū
Ko Aotearoa te marae
Ko Tauke te tāngata
Ko Hauwhenua-Kaihi, Reihana, Rangiwananga me Kerehoma tōku ingoa whānau
Ko Angela Awatea Tewaiariki
Kerehoma tōku ingoa
Tēnā koutou kātoa
Angela was raised in the beautiful coastal community Ohawe under the protective majesty of our tupuna mounga Taranaki. Her career in hospitality has supported her entrepreneurial mind and seen her venture into small business within the hospitality, entertainment and catering sector. Angela has a long career focused on quality products, customer service, public relations and boutique service outputs to a wide consumer demographic.
Her small whānau has left home to pursue careers of their own allowing Angela to refocus her attention within her hapū and onboarding to kaupapa targeting the wellbeing of people. She is passionately focused on equity values that provide a holistic approach with an emphasis on positive Māori outcomes.
Dinnie Moeahu
He uri o Te Atiawa, Nga Ruahine, Taranaki, Ngati Porou, and Te Arawa, Dinnie continues to be a passionate advocate being involved with many community and charitable organisations throughout his life.
A father of two and alongside his wife Sonya, are full time caregivers of their sister Melissa who is disabled with a neurological disorder called Rett Syndrome.
Dinnie’s service in the charitable and community space lead to him being nominated and the recipient of the 2019 Taranaki Daily News Person of the Year.
Dinnie is a first term New Plymouth District councillor and studying for his Masters Degree in Maori and Indigenous Leadership. At the heart of what drives Dinnie is providing a strong community voice to advocate for the overall health and well-being of whanau.
Nan Pirikahu-Smith
Ko wai i pukanakana mai
Mai Paraninihi ki Waitotara
Waitotara ki Taipake
Taipake ki te Kaahui maunga atu ki
Ngā Wairiki Ngati Apa
Ko Pahitonoa te waka
Ko Potiki a Rehua te maunga
Ko Waitotara te awa
Ko Ngaa Rauru KiiTahi te iwi
Ko Ngati Maika / ko Ngati Tai / ko Ngati Hinewaitarua oku hapū\
Ko Pakaraka / ko Te Wairoa-iti / ko Te Ihupuku oku marae
Ko Nannette Pirikahu-Smith (aka Nan)
Ko tooku hoa pumau ko Stephen Smith
Tokotoru oku tamariki
Toko ono oku mokopuna
Toko toru oku mokopuna tuarua
Nan is a kaihautuu whānau ora practitioner at Te Oranganui based in Waverley covering the rural communities within Ngaa Rauru KiiTahi rohe ki Whanganui. Nan is committed to the wellbeing of whānau, hapū and iwi. She works to be an advocate for whānau, ensuring their voices are heard and understood within the health system.
Ngapei Ngatai
Ko Takitimu te waka
Ko Taranaki te mounga
Ko Te Whai-tara-nui-a-Ngārue te awa
Ko Te Ati Awa, Ngati Mutunga, Ngati Maniapoto me Ngāpuhi ngā iwi
Ko Ngati Rāhiri, Ngati Te Whiti ngā hapu
Ko Owae, Urenui me Motiti ngā marae
He Kaimanāki Oranga au
Ko Ngāpei Ngatai tōku ingoa
Ngapei is kaimanāki oranga on several health boards including:
- Royal Australasian College of Physicians Aotearoa Committee
- RACP COVID 19 Expert Reference Group
- ACC Infections Advisory Group
- Strategic Infections Prevention Control Advisory Group - HQSC
- Antimicrobial Resistance - MOH
- Healthcare Associated Infections - MOH
- Federation Primary Health Aotearoa NZ
Ngapei’s primary role as kaimanāki oranga is to maintain patient-centered and equity focus for Māori at all levels of decision making within the health sector.
Nicola Clarke
Te mauri o Tainui e okioki ki Rangiāhua
Whaia te huarahi a Pirongia-aroaro o Kahu
Hei tiaki taniwha a Tū Heitia, e ahu ana ngā kato o Waipa
Oraora kau ngā kākaho o Te Kaharoa
Te whenua o Moerangi, karangaranga ngā uri o Ngāti Māhanga
Takahia rā ngā papa nekenekehanga o ngā mātua tupuna
Waikato taniwha rau
He piko he taniwha, he piko he taniwha
Ko Nicola Clarke tāku ingoa
Nicola grew up in Rotorua and moved to New Plymouth 20 years ago. She currently works as a consumer advocate at Tui Ora and is involved with Te Kete Pounamu – The National Organisation of Māori with lived experience of mental distress and/or addiction. Nicola is passionate about supporting whānau Māori to achieve better wellbeing outcomes and is looking forward to contributing to the Consumer Council space.
Raymond Tuuta
Ko Taranaki te mounga
Ko Urenui, Ko Rautini ngā awa
Ko Tokomaru, Ko Kurahaupō ngā waka
Ko Urenui, Ko Te Pōtaka ngā pā
Ko Ngāti Haupoto te hapū
Ko Ngāti Mutunga, Ko Taranaki, Ko Ngāti Tama, Ko Ngāti Maru, Ko Te Atiawa ngā iwi
Ko Tuuta, Ko Maxwell, Ko Crow, Ko Leatherby ngā whānau
Ko Raymond Tuuta tōku ingoa Tēnā koutou katoa
Raymond was raised with Māori tikanga and values and he believes this was a privilege that led to his unwavering dedication working for his many iwi.
Raymond’s career to date has given him significant experience in planning and administration, project management, communications and engagement, and iwi development from grassroots to board room. Raymond is also a trustee on Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Mutunga and Te Kāhui Maru iwi boards.
Raymond brings to the Consumer Council strong organisation and administrative expertise and diverse governance and management skills. He is a proven relationship builder and team leader with excellent communication skills and a high reputation for delivery.
Dinah King
Taranaki ki te tonga e ngunguru nei, au au aue ha!
E te iwi Māori e ngunguru nei, au au aue ha, hi!
I whakatipu au kei te taha o te awa Kapuni, I puta te pito na nga mataitai o Waiohata me Motumate, a te mara o Waiokura.
Ahakoa, ka rere te toto huri noa te maunga titohea.
Born and raised in Manaia, Dinah’s life is a result of her whānau, her community and being a pā girl. Dinah has a background in education and health and is currently the COVID-19 response co-ordinator for Ngā Ruahine. Everyone has a voice and Dinah enjoys helping that voice being heard.
TANGATA TE TIRITI
Jane Parker-Bishop (Co-chair)
Jane lives locally in Taranaki with her husband and four children and loves our vibrant province.
Focused on equity and positive community outcomes, Jane sat on the Taranaki District Health Board as part of the programme A Seat at the Table, is a Sport Taranaki Board trustee and is a part of Te Ara Whakamua o Waitara Leadership Group.
Jane understands the importance of promoting community involvement in the planning and delivery of health services in Taranaki and draws on her experience in everyday work and life and current governance to add value in this space.
Ainsley Luscombe
Ainsley has farmed with her husband Philip on the family dairy farm at Kapuni for the last 40 years. They have three adult sons and she feels privileged that three of her eight grandchildren live in Taranaki.
During much of that time Ainsley worked as the guidance counsellor at Hawera High School where she used her counselling and advocacy skills to help students and their whanau.
Ainsley’s extensive governance and business skills have been useful in her work with a wide range of Taranaki social sector and community agencies. Most recently she was a trustee and director of TSB Community Trust and TSB Group (now Toi Foundation). Her strong social justice principles aligned well with TSBCT’s focus on equity and child wellbeing.
Like many people with disabilities, Ainsley has spent a lot of time accessing a range of health services. She is keen to help ensure client voices are heard, so that as many barriers as possible are removed from client health and wellbeing journeys.
Belinda Tran-Lawrence
Belinda Tran-Lawrence has lived in Taranaki for most of her adult life and with her husband has raised three children in Ōākura (the last of whom is about to follow their siblings to university). As well as being a small business owner she has worked as a teacher at both secondary school and university level and been involved in a range of community initiatives.
Personal and whānau health events over the last few years have led to a heavy involvement with Te Whatu Ora Taranaki, as both a consumer and supporter, which has in turn developed into a strong interest in equitable healthcare services and outcomes. Belinda is the creator and admin of the rapidly growing Aotearoa NZ Breast Cancer Community, which works to lessen the isolation of those going through breast cancer through providing connections and the sharing of information and resources.
Belinda’s passion for using her voice to shape and develop health care systems that are patient centred and responsive to consumer and whānau need (particularly with regards to vulnerable and minority communities) has grown out of her overarching personal philosophies. These are centred on social justice, equitable access and outcomes, and the need to prioritise and centre previously marginalised voices and identities.
Caroline Tyrell
Caroline lives in New Plymouth with her husband and daughter. Caroline was born in the UK and has lived most of her life in Taranaki. After gaining her degree in Architecture at Auckland University she worked primarily in Wellington with a focus on education, aged care and residential work.
Caroline returned to New Plymouth in 2007 and most of her governance experience has been through volunteer work for the NZ Institute of Architects including three years as a national councillor.
Caroline sees huge potential for the Consumer Council to improve health outcomes for families across the Taranaki region and is glad to be contributing to this very important mahi.
Graham Walker
Graham lives rurally at Huirangi, 20 minutes north of New Plymouth. At age 64 years Graham’s drive is to assist people to navigate the health system, especially helping those living with disability to achieve the best possible outcomes from the system.
Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis nine years ago, Graham is president of MS Taranaki Inc. and is on the Executive Committee of MS New Zealand with responsibility on its Advocacy Sub-Committee. He is also involved in fundraising for MSNZ and helps The International MS Federation allocate research awards to candidates from low and middle income countries.
Graham serves on the National Health and Disability NGO Council of the Ministry of Health with responsibility for personal health issues. He enjoys his involvement with the Council and how it keeps him abreast of current issues and changes. These activities combined with his lived experience gives Graham a good insight into health service delivery regionally, nationally and internationally.
In recent years Graham has also served as a trustee establishing and maintaining the Taranaki Cycle Park at Bell Block, a model being copied throughout New Zealand.
Graham is in touch with many families relying on services provided by Te Whatu Ora Taranaki and he is keen to be part of making a positive difference for the people of Taranaki.
Jamie Allen
Jamie is a proud dad of four tamariki with his wife Suzy. The passing of one of their beautiful tamariki led to a new beginning - being part of the inception of Taranaki Retreat.
The Retreat seeks to work with and alongside clinical supports and whānau to seek hope and solutions, and a future without suicide.
Jamie offers many years of governance experience, training and work in mental health and addictions, and lived experience of care for whānau – more than 5000 whānau have turned to Taranaki Retreat for support.
Jamie is passionately committed to trauma-informed care and support with best bi-cultural praxis; enabling advocating for and empowering the voice of our community.
He feels privileged to be able to share in this journey, and undertake to serve and represent our amazing community, in all its beautiful diversity.
Shelley O’Sullivan
Shelley’s great grandparents moved from the UK to New Zealand in the 1860s and both families settled in Urenui. Shelley’s parents were teachers and moved around New Zealand until they settled back in Taranaki in the early 1970s. Shelley was educated in Taranaki then lived in various countries overseas in her 20s then settled back in Taranaki with her two children in the 1990s.
Shelley initially trained as an early childhood educator then went on to become an early intervention teacher for special education and continued her post graduate education to become an educational psychologist for the Ministry of Education. Shelley has worked for the MOE supporting children and adolescents with additional needs for 25 years and also has her own private practice.
Shelley values health services in Taranaki and the role community has in ensuring there is equitable delivery to all. She is hopeful that she can provide the voice of people with disabilities, people with chronic conditions and the elderly.
Wes Milne
Wes (he/him or they/them) has lived in New Plymouth for ten years and calls both here and Scotland home.
Wes is the Taranaki regional coordinator for RainbowYOUTH, working throughout the region with queer, gender diverse, intersex and takatāpui rangatahi, their whānau and wider communities providing support and advocacy.
Wes is focused on ensuring rainbow communities have visibility and a voice in health spaces and that our communities are being considered in all aspects of Te Whatu Ora Taranaki.
Last updated:
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
