Te Waka Hauora Te Waka Hauora translates to “The Canoe of Health” or “The Vessel of Wellbeing.”

Within the RACP, Te Waka Hauora is the Māori Health Directorate, providing Māori leadership, strategy, and direction across the College.

Te Waka Hauora strengthens RACP’s commitment to improving Māori health outcomes, embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations, and ensuring Māori authority is recognised and upheld in decision‑making across the organisation.

In addition to Māori Health, Te Waka Hauora also holds the portfolio for Pacific Health at the RACP. This reflects the close relationship between Māori and Pacific health priorities in Aotearoa and acknowledges shared experiences, cultural foundations, and collective aspirations for equity and wellbeing.

Te Waka Hauora provides strategic oversight across both spaces, ensuring each is supported appropriately while maintaining the distinct needs, identities, and leadership of Māori and Pacific peoples.

To contact the team, email Te Waka Hauora at hauoramaori@racp.org.nz

Meet the team | Tūtaki ki te tīma

Nicky McCurdy |Tumuaki – Head of Māori and Equity

Ko Tongariro te Maunga
Ko Rotoaira te Moana
Ngāti Hikairo, me Ngāti Tuwharetoa ngā iwi
Ko Otukou me Papakai ngā marae
Ko Nicky McCurdy ahau

Kia ora, with many years working in the health and justice sectors and by growing my understanding of Mātauranga Māori on my PhD journey, the barriers whānau Māori face when seeking support is evident. By incorporating the tikanga that surrounds a mana-enhancing journey for our members and staff, we work to reduce these barriers.

Dr Dawn-Louise Adair | Lead Fellow, Māori Health

Ko Tutamoe te maunga.
Ko Waikaraka te marae.
Ko Kaihu te awa.
Ko Kai Iwi te roto.
Ko Te Roroa te hapu.
Ngati Whatua te iwi.

Ko Dawn-Louise toku ingoa. I am a Rehabilitation Medicine Physician, Associate Fellow Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators, wife and Mum to 3 kids.

In the Lead Fellow role, I work alongside the Te Waka Hauora Team, Māori Health Committee and the wider College whānau to ensure that there are culturally safe support and engagement with Māori members.  Additionally, I provide leadership in the development and implementation of initiatives and policies within the College in respect of Māori health.  It is an honour to be able to support this mahi that supports our current and future members, with the hope of impacting more widely on our communities. 

Cat Boyle | Trainee Journey Lead, Hauora Māori

Ko Kau Kau te Maunga
Ko Te Whanganui a Tara te Awa
Ko Cat Boyle ahau
Ko taku mahi i te kāreti he kaitohutohu kaupapa

Tēnā koutou katoa, my name is Cat Boyle, I hail from Poneke | Wellington, Aotearoa. With a background in public health and experience working in both Aotearoa and the UK’s health systems, I am passionate about addressing health inequities. Central to this is supporting our Māori membership and improving their experiences.

I am dedicated to advancing kaupapa Māori initiatives that empower the College’s Māori members. In my role, I aim to support my team in enhancing cultural safety, ensuring that our Māori members (both current and future) feel supported and are empowered to contribute to achieving pae ora for Māori. 

Alexandra Kinsey | Project Lead, Growing the Indigenous Physician Workforce Initiatives 

Kia ora koutou, my name is Alex. I work in the Te Waka Hauora in the Sydney office. My role works across the Te Waka Hauora and wider college to develop and deliver workforce initiatives to strengthen the growth of the Indigenous physician workforce. I am excited to be part of the team and look forward to seeing you at the College soon.  

Natalie Martin | Executive Officer

Tēnā koutou katoa
Ko Natalie Martin ahau
E ngā mana, e ngā reo ngā mihi manahau ki a koutou
E noho ana ahau ki Te Whanganui-a-tara/ Poneke nō Whanganui ahau
Nō reira tēnā koutou tēnā kotou tēnā tātou katoa

Kia ora, I’m Natalie and I’m the Executive Officer for the Māori Health Committee. Before joining the College, I worked at the Tertiary Education Commission, supporting governance committees, finance, and the learner success teams.

Outside of work, I’m a proud māmā to my 11-year-old daughter who keeps me busy with her love of team sports. In my spare time, I’m learning te reo Māori and training for a bodybuilding competition - so if I’m not at my desk, you’ll probably find me in the gym!

I’m passionate about kaupapa Māori and equity, and I feel incredibly privileged to be supporting this mahi alongside such a committed team.

Teremoana Porter-Rawiri | Senior Project Officer 

Ko Taranaki te maunga
Ko Waitara te awa
Ko Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Mutunga, me Taranaki Whānui ngā iwi
Ko Manukorihi te hapū
Ko Owae Whaitara te marae
Ko Teremoana Porter-Rawiri tōku ingoa

Kia ora mai tātou, my role involves supporting the coordination of an Indigenous Health Curriculum aimed at improving health outcomes for whānau Māori and providing advice on curriculum development within the College from a Hauora Māori team perspective.

Before this role, I completed a Master of Science in Ecology looking at the relationship between Māori and fungi and analysed fungal community composition in Wairarapa wetlands. This involved conceptualising a framework to navigate this space drawing from both mātauranga Māori and western science knowledge systems.

I’m passionate about contributing to kaupapa that directly benefits Māori communities.

Te Waka Hauora Pānui

Stay connected with us through the Te Waka Hauora Pānui eBulletin. It’s our way of keeping you informed about what’s happening in Māori health, education, practice, advocacy, and research.

Artwork credit

Tāniko pattern by Kaaterina Kerekere of KE Design developed for RACP.
The foundation of the Tāniko design comes from Waharua kōpito tāniko motif. This stylised version of the pattern refers to the notion of transformation and change that occurs at such meeting points. For the College it symbolises the trans-Tasman training relationship, connecting the Indigenous peoples of 2 nations and bringing together medical specialists with patients.