TE PUNA HAUORA - Key Persons
Cindy has a passion for working with and for Māori, starting with Whaioranga Trust at Whetu Marae as a Counsellor and Community Health Worker in the mid 1980's. From there, she was employed at Te Puna Hauora, Tauranga Hospital mid- 1990's to start up the Kaupapa Māori Mental Health services. Over a period of the next seventeen years, developments included a community mental health service for adults, child and adolescent mental health services, Dual Diagnoses for those with addictions and mental health, First Time Psychosis, and a team of clinical and non-clinical staff to work in Te Whare Maiangiangi, the Acute Mental Health in-patient ward.
Cindy then led a team of staff who devolved to the community in mental health and Whānau Ora services. She has also led a national workforce development team for Te Rau Matatini, where she was employed on a part-time basis, leading out developments for the child and adolescent section of the workforce, which is another passion.
Since being in the community, Cindy has spear-headed the Tuakana and Teina Tamariki and Rangatahi Leadership Academy camp, working with a team of young leaders to help tamariki and rangatahi to develop leadership skills - another passion.
Qualifications
Post-graduate Dip. Social Sector Evaluation and Research - Massey University