Mahitahi Hauora Director of Nursing Rhoena Davis has been awarded the prestigious Te Akenehi Hei Memorial Award for her outstanding contribution to Māori health.

The Te Akenehi Hei Memorial Award is the highest award of honour for Te Rūnanga o Aotearoa, New Zealand Nurses Organisation (Te Rūnanga), a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner to NZNO that represents its Māori members. It is awarded every two years at the NZNO Annual General Meeting and Conference. The award is named in memory of Akenehi Hei, the first Māori to become a qualified nurse in 1908.

The Award was commissioned by Te Rūnanga in 2001 and is an NZNO award, under the kaitiaki of Te Rūnanga. The kōmiti is required to determine the candidate’s suitability and “significant contribution to Māori Health”, using the following criteria:

• Rangatiratanga: Leadership role/positions influencing positive health and wellbeing outcomes for Māori – Whānau, hapū, iwi, urban Māori towards Whānau Ora.
• Whanaungatanga: Ability to connect with others and establish effective working caring relationships – whānau, hapū, Iwi, urban Māori – towards Whānau Ora
• Kaitiakitanga: provision of guidance, support, ability to empower and care for others i.e., education, mentorship, engagement, whānau, hapū, Iwi, urban Māori – towards Whānau Ora
• Kotahitanga: demonstrates ability to promote Unity and establish collaborative working relationships to improve the health and wellbeing outcomes of Māori and others – whānau, hapū, Iwi, urban Māori – towards Whānau Ora.

Rhoena said it was humbling to be considered for such an award.

“I’m honoured to receive this award and to be part of our Mahitahi team,” she said. “Our challenge is to look at things differently to change the system. We at Mahitahi do that. This award belongs to each and every one of us.”

The award will be jointly housed at the Mahitahi Hauora office in Whangārei and at the Rural General Practice Network, Hauora Tai Whenua, who nominated Rhoena for the award.

Rhoena is currently the Acting Chair Hauora Tai Whenua and Co-Chair of the College of Nurses Aotearoa. Rhoena has a keen interest in rural Māori health, and believes she has had a privileged career in rural health/primary care. She acknowledges Hauora Tai Whenua executive and members for their efforts and contributions to addressing and leading Māori rural health.