Te Whatu Ora National Director Commissioning, Abbe Anderson has today announced the appointment of three new Regional Wayfinders. 

The Regional Wayfinders will be responsible for providing rangatiratanga leadership to multiple locally based Commissioning teams to support local communities and whānau in the pursuit of Pae Ora. 

The new Regional Wayfinders are:

  • Northern Regional Wayfinder - Danny Wu (interim)
  • Te Manawa Taki Regional Wayfinder - Nicola Ehau
  • Central Regional Wayfinder - Tricia Keelan
  • Te Waipounamu Regional Wayfinder - Chiquita Hansen

Recruitment for a permanent appointment for the Northern Regional Wayfinder will recommence in the new year. In the meantime, Danny Wu has accepted an interim appointment for up to six months. 

Ms Anderson says, “These outstanding people are well-known leaders and come into the Regional Wayfinder roles with incredibly impressive accomplishments already under their belts.” 

“I cannot wait till the new year to join them as they shape and progress our important mahi going forward.”

The job of the Regional Wayfinder is to find a way through, to remove barriers and to shine the light on possible paths forward. Regional Wayfinders are custodians of the Pae Ora vision and the holders of regional relationships.  

Northern - Danny Wu (Interim)

Danny Wu began his career as a pharmacist and has extensive experience across the health sector in strategic planning, change management and clinical service improvement. He has had planning, funding and provider arm roles in former District Health Boards and a primary health care leadership role at the Ministry of Health. Danny has managed hospital services and led change across a number of clinical areas to provide access in community settings.

Te Manawa Taki - Nicola Ehau
Ngāti Porou

Nicola Ehau is currently seconded to Te Aka Whai Ora as Chief Advisor and will be stepping into the Regional Wayfinder role from 7 February 2023. In her early career, Nicola held roles in mental health, Māori health and workforce planning, which has enabled her to hold successful planning and funding roles in several District Health Boards, a Primary Health Organisation and other health entities. Nicola has also been part of the National Health of Older Peoples Steering Group, InterRai Governance Group and Te Manawa Taki Regional Equity Group.   

Central - Tricia Keelan
Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu, Te Aupouri, Rongomaiwahine

Tricia Keelan is GM Monitoring Systems and Transformation at Te Aka Whai Ora and will be stepping into the Regional Wayfinder role from 14 February 2023. Tricia’s substantial background in policy, design, commissioning, primary care, public and population health has enabled her to make an impact in numerous parts of the health system focusing on giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, enabling Tino rangatiratanga, indigenous rights and equity advancement. Tricia was previously Deputy CEO and co-leader of the Human Rights Commission, where she was a member of the Tripartite Steering Group on the Rights of Indigenous People and a member of the Government Senior Officials group to address racism.

Te Waipounamu - Chiquita Hansen

Chiquita Hansen is currently seconded to Te Whatu Ora on a part-time basis as Co-Director Primary, Community and Rural Early Actions and will be stepping into the Regional Wayfinder role from 14 February 2023. Chiquita has held a variety of nursing leadership roles and has been Chief Executive of MidCentral Primary Health Organisation, THINK Hauora, since 2013. Chiquita is passionate about whānau and community-led solutions and has strongly advocated a pro-equity approach to health service delivery. Chiquita has been influential at a governance level across several National organisations, including General Practice New Zealand (GPNZ), Collaborative Aotearoa, and Health Quality and Safety Patient Experience Survey Governance Group.