OUR COUNCIL
The Public Health Association of New Zealand (PHANZ) is governed by an Executive Council who are responsible for determining the national strategy and policy for the association; in consultation with its members, and oversees its implementation.
The Executive Council is made up of ten members, two Co-Presidents, a Treasurer and seven Council Members. At least fifty percent (five or more members) are to be Māori, including at least one Co-President.
Nari Faiers, Co-President (Māori) BMD, MA First Class (Hons)
Tribal affiliations: Ngāti Whakaue, Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao, Tapuika, Ngāpuhi.
Nari has vast experience in the field of Māori development and research. This includes working as a specialist in the Māori Growth Programme at Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development (ATEED) and in advancement at AUT University.
Her thesis (2014) investigated tribal governance in sacred spaces. In particular, how Tūhourangi retained control and management of Rotokākahi (Green Lake) through generations of colonisation, land confiscation and a dysfunctional resource management system. This research involved working closely with tribal members and key stakeholders in the Rotorua region. It sought to provide a snapshot of the cultural, environmental and political meanings involved in this complex resource.
In 2015, Nari led the Global Auckland Research Project which brought together pūrākau from the twenty-one mana whenua of Tāmaki Makaurau. This research was complex due to the diverse understandings each iwi has with this landscape. This research was acknowledged by Tā Pita Sharples who presented Nari with an Equity award in 2016.
Nari is currently enrolled as a doctoral candidate at Te Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, exploring indigenous models of response and resilience built from crises. This topic involves a strong emphasis on indigenous research methodologies and the development of Kaupapa Māori praxis. This ensures worldviews are honoured and privileged for both the researcher and researched.
Nari has worked across many sectors and communities (primarily working with wāhine) including the Cervical Screening Programme, Women’s Refuge, AUT University and ATEED. She is currently leading the workforce development at Hāpai Te Hauora for the National SUDI Prevention Coordination Service and Te Kākano Preventation and Minimisation of Gambling Harm.
Nari is an active member on the ADHB Child Youth Mortality Review Group, CMDHB SUDI Prevention Steering Group and Power 2 Protect Steering Group.
She is currently in the final stages of completing her PhD and was a vital part of the successful bid with the World Federation of Public Health Associations for the 2028 World Congress.
Gail Duncan, Co-President (General)
Gail Duncan is a dedicated professional making a significant impact in public health and economics. With a strong foundation in microbiology, Gail seamlessly transitioned her career from food safety and compliance to the forefront of public health and economics. She holds postgraduate qualifications in both fields.
She has been instrumental in addressing critical issues such as homelessness, poverty, and public health. Her commitment to these causes is truly inspiring.
In addition to her advocacy work, Gail is the founder of 'Ante Business Case Economics,' a venture dedicated to expanding economic opportunities for all. What sets Gail apart is her global perspective, gained through participation in FIDIC International Infrastructure Conferences around the world. This has fortified her commitment to infrastructure development and addressing climate change challenges.
Gail's focus remains firmly on creating a stronger, healthier New Zealand. She is passionate about driving policies that empower communities and improve lives.
Kylie McKee, Treasurer, Council Member (Māori) MPH, BHSc, Dip.Prof.Coaching
Tribal affiliations: Ngāpuhi (Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Rahiri), Te Whānau-a-Apanui
Kylie McKee is a seasoned public health professional, dedicated to supporting positive social change through innovative health and community initiatives. With a Master of Public Health and a Bachelor of Health Sciences from the University of Auckland, Kylie brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. She is recognised for her exceptional skills in strategic planning, project management, and leadership in health care and non-governmental organisations.
Kylie has been instrumental in pioneering and leading a range of health-related projects. She has a notable track record in healthcare initiatives, and community development projects, with a focus on enhancing opportunities and inclusivity for individuals with disabilities and other health challenges. Her work often involves building strategic partnerships with non-profits, businesses, and government agencies, emphasising the importance of collaboration for impactful results.
Highlights include leading a multi-year initiative to provide support for victims of family violence and sexual assault, significantly improving the epidemiological metrics in local rape response services, and developing crisis counselling programs. She has also played a vital role in integrating health and social services principles into the Early Education sector.
Currently serving as the General Manager at Coastal Medical Ltd in Taranaki, Kylie focuses on strategic planning, change management, and enhancing health care delivery in rural settings. She is also an active member of the Royal Society of New Zealand Te Apārangi, and the American Public Health Association.
Kylie McKee's commitment to public health is evident in her continuous efforts to advocate for underserved communities, ensuring equitable access to healthcare, and supporting the development of environments that promote well-being and resilience.
Patrick Salmon, Council Member (Māori)
Tribal affiliations: Mataatua, Ngāti Awa
Patrick Salmon is a husband and father of six who is committed to achieving the positive aspirations of wellbeing for Māori.
He is an advocate and public voice for ways to share and uphold the well-being of Māori in modern-day society. He uses his creative skills and innovative thinking to develop solutions that support the oranga aspirations of a person's life journey.
With an ongoing commitment to learning, Patrick is currently completing a PHD in Māori Development and Advancement at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiarangi and he holds a Master's degree in Applied Indigenous knowledge from Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, with years of experience and support in the governance space for tribal and mainstream entities along with a multitude of different community groups that support the wellbeing of Māori.
Patrick is a steering committee member of Power To Protect (shaken baby prevention) and has a passion for pairing ancestral knowledge and recent research with different technologies to create a more responsive health experience for whānau.
Patrick is acknowledged as one of the 100 Māori Leaders acknowledgement program 2023-2024 from Te Rau Ora for his work in leading KAIRUA, an online movement dedicated to creating positive change within communities across Aotearoa and the globe through his Indigenous Innovation work. Patrick has accumulated an online community consisting of thousands of indigenous innovators and creators who tune in, interact and share content daily across multiple social media platforms.
Nivedita Sharma Vij, Council Member (Asian) & Asian Caucus Chair
Nivedita, an overseas-trained dietitian, has proudly called New Zealand home for the past two decades, embracing the culture and community that surrounds her. With a wealth of experience spanning 25 years in Primary, Secondary, Public, and Integrated health and Wellness sectors, Nivedita has dedicated her career to whānau and communities focused health prevention, protection, education, promotion, innovations, and quality improvements. Her guiding principles are governed by Te Whare Tapa Whā, placing emphasis on effective co-designing, developing services, and contributing to community-centric policies and legislations.
Nivedita's leadership extends beyond professional realms, as she actively engages in community and governance roles. Her commitment and passion for bridging the gap between marginalized communities and mainstream social, health, and educational services are evident through her authentic and distributive leadership approach.
Nivedita is eager to collaboratively work with PHA Board members, management, and Maori, Pacific, and Asian caucuses to continue serving the people and communities of New Zealand.
Taumaoe Andrea Meni, Council Member (Pacific) & Pacific Caucus Chair
“O le ala I le pule o le tautua – The pathway to leadership is paved in service”
Taumaoe Andrea Meni hails from the villages of Safato’a and Matautu Lefaga in her beautiful motherland of Samoa.
Inspired by the old Samoan adage, “o le ala I le pule o le tautua,” Taumaoe Andrea Meni serves as the Pacific caucus chair on the PHANZ Executive Council. Her vision for the Pacific caucus is for it to be a diverse collective of skilled Pacific individuals; united in shaping the narrative, driving advocacy and setting priorities that addresses the needs of their communities. She is dedicated to harnessing collective talents, knowledge and evidence-based best practices to galvanise advocacy efforts; ensuring a Pacific voice for communities and their health needs.
Taumaoe Andrea Meni is immersed in the world of academia, as part of the teaching team in the School of Health Sciences at Massey University. She is also a student – finishing up her Master of Public Health. However, her journey extends far beyond the classroom.
Taumaoe Andrea Meni has engaged with various organisations and agencies, collaborating on external projects to bolster Pacific capability and ensure that it is engrained within strategic plans. She is passionate about research, driven to utilise her research skill set and networks to create positive change that is rooted in Pacific values and worldviews.
Beyond all this, Taumaoe Andrea Meni’s greatest source of pride lies in her role as a sister, daughter, wife and friend. She relishes the title of being “everyone’s favourite aunty.” She likes to seize every opportunity to remind those around her that she is a proud Tamaita’i Samoa and that is her superpower. When she’s not engrossed in her passions and work, you’ll find her either with her family, lost in the pages of a book, taking in our nature’s beauty, or simply unwinding with some music.
“E vave taunu’u le malaga pe a tatou alo va’a fa’atasi –
Our destiny is within sight when we paddle our canoe together."
Dr Marcus Tamaira, Council Member (Māori)
Tribal affiliations: Te Arawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa
Marcus is currently studying a Master of Public Health degree at Massey University, with a research focus of being tāne ora - the mana and mauri of the sons of Tāne Mahuta.
Marcus works as a Māori research officer for HART (the Health and Aging Research Team), which is part of the Massey School of Psychology, engaging in kōrero with kaumatua across the motu. His previous career was a farm veterinarian where he practiced across the North Island for 20 years.
Marcus likes tackling wicked problems, including racism and health inequities, as well as strategy and innovation. He loves the public health and hauora Māori spaces and finds the people and mahi inspiring. With the PHANZ whānau he hopes to help make a dent in the pressing social and health problems that persist in Aotearoa.
Marcus has two beautiful tamariki, Tom who is studying engineering, and Emma who is in her final years of high school. His main passion is music, and he plays guitar in a cover band called “Yardigans” – world famous in Whanganui!
Dr Ramil Adhikari (JP), Council Member (General)
Ramil Adhikari has been associated with the Public Health Association of New Zealand (PHANZ) for the last 8 years. He has been the Chairperson of the PHANZ Wellington Branch since 2019.
A multilinguist, Ramil is a skilled polyglot – speaking Chinese (mainland), Dutch, Nepali, Hindi, Punjabi and English.
Ramil also serves the community as a Justice of Peace, a Marriage Celebrant, a Board member of KiwiClass and as President of the Nepalese Culture & Tourism Promotion Forum New Zealand (NCTPF-NZ). Furthermore, he is a White Ribbon Ambassador committed to ending violence against women and a Hon. Public Relation Representative from the government of Nepal to New Zealand.
Ramil is a strong advocate for health equity in New Zealand and works as Principal Advisor, Equity and Community Engagement, with the Outbreak Response Directorate, National Public Health Service at Te Whatu Ora.