Project Manager

Mira is a dedicated Projects Manager deeply rooted in her heritage. She proudly identifies with the Ngapuhi iwi, tracing her lineage to the maunga of Putahi me Tauanui, the roto of Omapere and Kereru, and the waka of Mataatua me Ngatokimatawhaorua. Her hapū affiliations include Ngāti Whakaeke, Ngāti Moerewa, me Ngāti Rangi.

Having long been aware of her whānau's medical history, Mira recognized the urgent need for lifestyle changes and has committed herself to promoting health and well-being within her community.

With years of experience as a social worker, she has passionately worked to support whānau, ensuring they are healthy and thriving. Mira firmly believes in the philosophy of "a hand up, not a hand out," focusing on building the strength and resilience of whānau to foster lasting change.

Through her work, Mira continually advocates for prevention and empowerment, striving to create a healthier future for all.

Systems Innovator

Kaawhia Moana Kaawhia Kai, Kaawhia Tangata
Ko Tainui te waka
Ko Pirongia rāua ko Taupiri ngaa maunga
Ko Waikato te awa
Ko Waikato te iwi
Ko Ngaati Mahuta ki te hauaauru te hapuu
Ko Maketuu te marae

Mahuta ake ake

Whakapiripiri mai i te taahuhu o Auaukiterangi
He oranga hinengaro, oranga tinana, oranga wairua, oranga whaanau
Te tumu ki Maketuu, Aaruka ki Tahaaroa, Te Oohaaki ki Koraha
Ngaati Mahuta ki te hauaauru
kia mau ki te korowai o te aroha me te whakaiti

Pai maarire

Systems Innovator

Ko Tainui me Horouta ngā waka. Ko Ngati Tamaterā, Rereahu, Ngati Porou ngā iwi. Ko Taharua, Miringa te Kakara me Whareponga ngā Marae.

Raised by a hard working Māmā alongside five uniquely amazing siblings. A Māmā to three beautiful tamāriki, Māui, Kiwa and Rehua. Passionate and competitive in sports—rugby, netball, softball, touch, you name it! I believe in embracing opportunities—who knows, you might just discover your calling and make a positive impact in your community, better yet the world.

My passion lies in serving, supporting, and uplifting whānau. Revitalizing Te Reo Māori, and instilling Te Ao Māori values within my mahi. I aim to inspire rangatahi, showing them that with determination, anything is possible acknowledging the sacrifices of our kaumātua, to whom I owe so much.

I have worked across multiple generations in education, television, and health. These experiences reinforced my passion in serving our people whilst striving to promote health and well-being within our communities through a Māori lens.

I envision the upliftment of traditional well-being while bridging the gap with a modern approach.

While motivation comes from serving my tamariki and mokopuna the need to highlight giving back to my parents and kaumātua, whose sacrifices paved the way for me is important.

Rautaki Maori

He uri tēnei no Ngapuhi, Ngati Ranginui, Ngaiterangi, Tūhoe, Te Whakatōhea, Ngati Porou anō hoki.

Kei te mūrau o te tini, te wenerau o te mano kua haoa e te kūpenga o Taramainuku, koutou mā ngā raukura whakaniko o Te Hao-o-Rua, kia uiui tahi koutou ki te kāpunitanga o te rangi, kia whetū rangitia koutou ki te Huinga o te Kahurangi, ki te Pūtahi-nui-a-Rēhia, hei kahukura whakarāwai ki te poho o Ranginui haere, haere, whakaoti atu rā.

Kei ngā whakatāhuna o te ngaru, ngā tūtara kauika o te wā, e nanaiore ana kia kaupare atu i ngā āhuatanga e tāmi nei i te iwi Māori tēnā wā koutou katoa. I’m a graduate of Otākou Whakaihuwaka (Otago Uni), with a BA Majoring in Sociology & Indigenous Development, but beyond that I’m most proud of being a Raukura of Kōhanga Reo & Kura Kaupapa, as well as a manu tāiko of kura ā-iwi.

Systems Innovator

E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā karangaranga maha o runga o ngā hau e whā, tēnā rā koutou. He uri ahau nō Ngāti Rangitāne rātou ko Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Rākaipaaka, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Te Roroa, Te Rarawa, me Te Aupouri anō hoki, e mihi kau ana ki a koutou.

My academic journey began with an undergraduate degree in social sciences and has evolved into graduate and forthcoming postgraduate studies focused on mate wareware (dementia). This work is deeply meaningful to me, as it stems from a heartfelt commitment to improving the lives and wellbeing of our older population.

My passion is to elevate the voice of kaumātua; to enhance their mana motuhake i te ao i te pō; and to preserve te oranga o rātou wairua i runga i te mate wareware. I am thrilled to work towards creating systems change for kaumātua within the Healthy Families kaupapa.

Mauri ora.

Systems Innovator

Mai e te tupua, mai e te tawhito, mai e te kāhui o ngā Ariki, mai e tāwhiwhi ki a Io-matua-kore. Te maiaorere o Ranginui e tū nei, te nuku roa o Papatūānuku e hora ake nei, tēnā kōrua.

E ngā rangatira o mua, ngā Whatukura me ngā Mareikura i whai-iro te huarahi mo ngā uri whakatupu, haere, haere, moe mai rā koutou.

Ki a koutou ngā kanohi ora, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā rā tatou katoa.  He uri tēnei no Ngāti Maniapoto. 

The Ngāti Maniapoto Marae PACT Trust is one of five providers within Tainui that make up Te Ngira Healthy Families.  It is a pleasure and joy to be part of this kaupapa.

My background is in business management practices and strategies, and I hold a Bachelor of Applied Management and a Diploma in Māori Governance and Management.

My focus with Te Ngira Healthy Families is on elements of innovation to support our whānau to achieve future sustainability.

Communications Strategist

I te taha o tōku māmā
Ko Tainui te waka
Ko Taupiri, Tūhua ōku maunga
Ko Waikato, Waipā ōku awa
Ko Waikato, Maniapoto ōku iwi
Ko Ngāti Pou, Ngāti Mahuta ōku hapu
Ko Horahora, ko Rākaunui, ko Turitea ōku marae
Ko Shiralee Wheeler toku māmā

I te taha o tōku pāpā
nō Kuki Airani o tōku pāpā
Ko Aitutaki, ko Rarotonga te motu
Ko Maungapu te maunga
Ko Nikaupara, ko Arorangi te pa
Ko Terue Ta’akoi Vincent Benioni tōku pāpā

I whānau mai ahau ki Tokoroa engari i tipu ake ahau ki Pōneke. I te whānautanga mai o taku tama, i hoki mai ahau ki roto i te Waikato