ProCare welcomed Marama Royal, Chair of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust, to the ProCare Co-operative Board with a mihi whakatau. This is an important step forward in solidifying the partnership between ProCare and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and their joint commitment towards improving the health and wellbeing of whānau in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Dr Craig King, Chair, ProCare Co-operative Board says “Relationships, partnership and connection is key to reducing health inequities among our community. We know that working together with other likeminded people will result in greater success than if we work alone.

 “Our ProCare whakataukī is: ‘He ika kai ake i raro, he rāpaki ake i raro’ – Committing to a journey begins with the first steps. And today is another step on that journey. We are honoured to have Marama Royal join our Co-operative Board, where she will help shape our organisation and the decisions we make. She holds a huge amount of mana, and has extensive experience serving on boards, so we are looking forward to her guidance and insights from Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei,” continues King.

Mihi Blair, Kaiwhakahaere Hauora Māori, Mana Taurite (GM of Māori Health and Equity) says: “We have worked extremely hard over the years to develop strategies to address health inequities in our organisation. Having Marama as representative of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei enhances our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.”

Commenting on her appointment, Marama says, “I’m deeply humbled by the warm welcome and acknowledgement from the ProCare Co-operative board. It’s wonderful to be part of this organisation and represent Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. I acknowledge our kaumātua - it's a privilege to have them standing beside me, and to support me in this role. I am excited to take this meaningful step in shaping the future of our organisation, to tautoko, and to uplift the health of our communities.”

Marama’s appointment will be effective from 5 March. This appointment has been made possible with the guidance and leadership of the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust Board. Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei are the tangata whenua of Tāmaki and its rohe, on the basis of take tūpuna, take raupatu, tuku whenua and ahi kā.