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The PHA - an informed, collaborative and strong advocate for public health.

Public Health Champion 2008  –  Marty Rogers

Marty Rogers is one of a small group of dedicated Māori who have pioneered the development of Māori in public health.

"It runs in the blood," Marty says. "My mother has always been involved in community work and Māori health issues, and my sister Lisa also works in public health. Growing up in a town like Kaitaia you are always acutely aware of the plight of our people, and the need to invest in community development."

Marty's journey into public health began in 1986, with her involvement in the Auckland branch of the Māori Women's Welfare League.

"I'd been involved in some community development work prior and my work with the League convinced me that community development provided a model for Māori public health. So it's about communities identifying what they need rather than being told what to do by government and non-government agencies.

"The public health practitioner's role is to support the community's agenda and facilitate the community's access to expertise and resources."

Hapai Te Hauora Tapui in Auckland was the country's first regional Māori public health provider, and the organisation gave birth to the concept of Māori public health as an independent discipline. In 1996 Marty was appointed Hapai's first CEO, her first formal public health role.

"The establishment of Hapai was tremendously important. At a personal level I learned about leadership and how to establish and maintain an organisational infrastructure.

"As an organisation we were able to provide a Māori public health perspective that was independent of government, and advocate for structural change that would benefit Māori public health. We also focused on co-ordinating Māori services across Auckland – which is a city that generates a host of unique challenges."

Marty's next role as General Manager Māori Health for the Waikato District Health Board moved her more directly into the public service, and meant she had to balance her passion for community development with the responsibilities of administering public funds.

Some of the achievements Marty nominates during this period include the development of a strategic plan for Māori health; management of iwi relationships on behalf of the District Health Board; the development of the Māori Health Unit – increasing staff numbers and Māori potential – and the development of the Reducing Inequalities Strategy.

"At the end of the day government realises that it must take account of community views as it plans and develops services. So I believe that I was able to stay true to my values and fulfil my obligations as a senior public servant."

Outside these roles Marty has contributed to the growth of Māori public health in a host of ways. She has been President of the Public Health Association, and Chair of Te Tumu Whakaraae (National District Health Board Māori Managers Forum). She is also an integral part of Nga Ngaru Hauora o Aotearoa, an independent forum that advocates on behalf of Māori health providers. She has worked with numerous community groups and iwi organisations.

"The sector is so complex that we must always be looking at ways of networking and linking, so that the work we all do in pockets is holistic, and based on tikanga Māori."

PHA National Executive Officer Dr Gay Keating says that Marty was one of the new wave of leaders in Māori public health. "She was appointed to senior roles when Māori participation in public health was rare.

"Apart from her formal roles, Marty has been involved on a voluntary basis with organisations that have promoted excellence and development within Māori public health. Her contribution to workforce development cannot be under-estimated."