Diabetes New Zealand Board Trustee Appointments

Diabetes New Zealand trustees are delighted to advise the appointment of three new trustees to the board

Bev Gibson, Tio Taiaki and Erolia Rooney joins the board from the start of 2023 and bring backgrounds in diabetes, Te Ao Māori, Māori health, Māori education, health governance at a primary health organisation level, Pasifika health and Pasifika community needs. (read more about them here)

These new appointments will ensure Diabetes New Zealand continues its focus on ensuring more equitable outcomes for people with diabetes in Aotearoa New Zealand.

We know we have a serious and growing diabetes problem, particularly type 2 diabetes.  We also know Māori, Pacific and Asian people are the highest affected. 

The incidence of diabetes is unabated with 40 people a day developing diabetes. The personal and social costs are enormous, as is the vast cost to our health system. Together with whānau and family, we estimate that over 1 million people in New Zealand are affected by diabetes – 20% of the nation.

These three new trustees will aid in steering/guiding Diabetes New Zealand to ensure we embrace all New Zealanders and respect all cultures and values.

We strive to honour and embrace the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi; in particular:

Tino rangatiratanga Māori self-determination and mana motuhake in the design, delivery, and monitoring of services.

Equity Equitable health outcomes for Māori.

Active protection Ensuring we are well informed on the extent and nature of Māori health outcomes and efforts to achieve Māori health equity.

Options Providing for and properly resourcing kaupapa Māori health and disability services. Ensuring our services are provided in a culturally appropriate way that recognises and supports the expression of hauora Māori models of care.

Partnership Collaborating with Māori in the governance, design, delivery, and monitoring of our services.

Alongside we honour and embrace the enduring cultural values that bind Pacific peoples, and the Yavu foundations of Pacific engagement. Particular values we recognise include:

Family, aiga, kainga – at the centre of the community and way of life.

Collective community approach – teamwork, consultation and cooperation to achieve common goals through an agreed approach.

Spirituality – as the cornerstone of traditional values and cultures encompassing honour, trust, faith and integrity.

Reciprocity – through valuing relationships and mutual working and interdependence.

Respect – as a foundation stone of Pacific culture, with behaviours that acknowledge peoples’ status and wisdom with proper etiquette.