Carleen Heemi

Te Whakatōhea

Carleen Heemi plays a pivotal role in her community as a Speech and Language Therapist, advocate for normalising Te Reo Māori and seeing all those around her reach their full potential. 

Carleen grew up in Wairau, Blenheim, and has since returned to her hapori as a dedicated Speech and Language Therapist for Te Mahau.  Carleen is also working as a Project Advisor for the current review of the Speech and Language Therapy Accreditation Framework for the New Zealand Speech and Language Therapy Association.

Carleen actively contributes to the Omaka Marae branch of Te Roopu Wāhine Māori Toko I Te Ora (Māori Womens Welfare League), a revered organisation established in the 1950s.  Te Roopu Wāhine Māori Toko I Te Ora serve as spearheads, inspiring and resilient women who advocate for Māori wahine and their whānau. 

Supporting Māori Women to find their voice and use it, develop partnerships with other organisations who align with our goals, engage in positive initiatives, advocate for indigenous women all over the world, hold the government to account to uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi and believe in the potential of all.

Careleen is privileged to be a part of this kaupapa.  

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An auntie network like no other

He Rangatira Our Leaders

Sharon Shea

Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Haua, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Hako

“He kai kei nāna ringa” - She has kai at the end of her hands

Awhina Murupaenga

Ngāti Kuri, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāpuhi

Awhina Murupaenga, a mother of two, serves as the director of Whatu Creative. Through the traditional Māori art of tukutuku, she shares whakapapa, history, innovation, healing, and storytelling with communities. She's equally passionate about empowering young Māori to set and accomplish their aspirations.

Nadine Gray

Te Whakatōhea

Nadine is passionate about working collectively through the trusted voices of our people to enable strategies that prioritise and lead the change towards future-focused models of wellbeing that ensure our whānau, hapū, and iwi thrive and flourish.

Atawhai Tibble

Ngāti Porou

Atawhai's advice to young people is to do as many different things as possible to find your voice. "I started off doing law and kapa haka. I ended up in policy and economic measurement. I tried many things. I have landed where I was meant to be. Kia kaha tatou!"