Special Visitor Blew In Last Month

Vanessa is a member of Te Rōpu Taki Māori, a group that provides strategic Māori leadership, support, advice and input into Hospice NZ, and is the director of Pō Pīata, an agency specialising in palliative care and end of life care for Māori. 

She has a background in nursing and has led and developed several programmes relating to loss and grief for Māori, compassionate communities and leads a team focused on the provision of equitable service for all.

She has contributed to national research, publications and professional development material regarding palliative care and is a qualified bi-cultural supervisor.  She contributed to Whenua ki te Whenua, the Advanced Care Planning conversation guide for Māori with the Health Safety Quality Commission.  She hosted the first National Symposium on Palliative Care for Māori in 2021 and contributes to project work with Hospice New Zealand.

Vanessa is Wellington born and of Rongomaiwahine and Ngāti Kahungūnu descent. She is working with us to support our realisation of Mauri Mate, the Māori Palliative Care Framework within our service.