Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngā Puhi, Te Atihaunui-a-Paparangi, Ngāti Whakaue

Maia is a skilled health professional and strategic communicator with extensive experience across both clinical and community settings. Beginning her career as a Registered Nurse in one of Rotorua Hospital’s wards, she quickly developed a reputation not only for her clinical capability, but for her ability to build trust, translate complex health information into accessible language, and connect meaningfully with whānau. She later specialised in community mental health, strengthening her expertise in hauora hinengaro while deepening her skills in advocacy, engagement, and culturally responsive communication.

In her role as a Tamariki Ora nurse at Manaaki Ora, one of Rotorua’s leading Māori health providers, Maia further refined her ability to communicate across diverse audiences from pēpi and mātua to kaumātua and cross-sector stakeholders. Her work is grounded in whakawhanaungatanga, ensuring whānau feel heard, informed, and empowered to make decisions about their own wellbeing. She understands that effective communication is not simply the sharing of information, but the creation of safe spaces where kōrero can flow both ways.

Grounded in her identity as Māori and guided by manaakitanga and whanaungatanga, Maia is deeply committed to using communication as a tool for transformation. She is passionate about decolonising health narratives, amplifying Māori voices, and ensuring that messaging reflects the realities, strengths, and aspirations of our people. Whether advocating within systems, presenting in governance spaces, or engaging directly with community, she brings clarity, cultural integrity, and strategic intent to every conversation.

Beyond her clinical work, Maia is a proud mother and creative thinker who recognises the power of storytelling and digital engagement. She is particularly passionate about leveraging social media and online platforms as tools for education, outreach, and community mobilisation. Maia champions accessible, culturally grounded communication that strengthens relationships, builds collective understanding, and drives meaningful change.

Areas of expertise: strategic communications, digital engagement, health advocacy, equitable service design and delivery, community engagement and relations, mental wellbeing.