The Iwi United Engaged Team
Our team brings expertise in the application of Te Titiri (the Treaty of Waitangi) gained from working with Māori communities over a period of 26 years. We are tīkanga and kawa guided, with practice-focused knowledge from nursing, nursing education, midwifery and engineering research. Our aim is to deliver culturally informed and relevant research that delivers for Māori.
Misty Edmonds
Chief Executive Officer Registered Nurse
Ngā Puhi and Ngāti Tūwharetoa
Misty brings over 26 years of experience in working with Māori in the Counties Manukau area as a registered nurse, nursing educator and project manager. Misty has a passion for the reduction of health inequities, particularly for Māori, and in the value of Te Tiriti (the Treaty of Waitangi) as a mechanism to addressing inequity.
Misty brings a health background and unique skills in developing Tiriti based partnerships between Māori and non-Māori. Iwi United Engaged Ltd is the realization of the demand for these skills from the health research and technology communities. Her work brings together a team focused on project execution, research ideation and cultural competency building.
Saraela Ama
Chief Operations Officer Registered Nurse
Ko Ngati Tuwharetoa toku Iwi, Ko Saraela Ama toku ingoa. I’m a mama of 4 beautiful little girls and married to my Samoan tane. I’m a registered nurse and have spent the early years of my career working for Marae based services including GP practice and clinic. A lot of my mahi was alongside Māori and Pasifika rangatahi and youth. I am an authorised vaccinator and experienced Mana Kidz nurse. My post graduate diploma study area is in Health science specialising in Māori health. I have extensive connections, particularly in the Māori and Pacific communities. I am passionate about improving outcomes for Māori and Pacific whanau and bridging the gap between the research/clinical and Māori communities.
Langi Kepu Kosene Apiata
Consultant & Cultural Advisor Registered Nurse
Langi descends from a Māori/Pacific background, specifically Māori (Nga puhi) Tongan, Samoan, and Niuean. She completed her Bachelor in Māori nursing under the leadership and guidance from Misty. Langi brings her expertise in working with Māori and Pacific communities via nursing research to advance Māori and Pacific health outcomes by integrating Māori and Pacific health frameworks to appropriately engage in bridging health disparities and inequities Māori and Pacific encounter.
Cheyanne Tihi
Events Co-ordinator Registered Nurse
Kia ora Koutou, Ko Cheyanne Tihi toku ingoa. I just recently graduated from the Bachelor of nursing Māori and now I am a registered nurse. I’m a mama of 5 tamariki and have a passion for the health and wellbeing of our Māori and Pasifika whanau. I grew up in South Auckland so I have always felt strongly about ways to help our Māori and Pasifika whānau through to bridge the gap between health inequities we are currently faced with.
Fale Ama
Pasifika Community Liaison Lead
Ko Fale toku ingoa. I descend from the Island of Samoa. I lived in Samoa for the majority of my life and moved to New Zealand when my wife and I got married. We have 4 beautiful daughters of both Samoan and Māori decent. I’m passionate about my Samoan culture and utilising my vast networks within the Samoan community to help connect researchers. I believe that engaging directly with our people will mean a better future for my kids and I want to encourage our Samoan community to have a say in advancing health and wellbeing for our children and mokopuna.
Benjamin Martin
Rangatahi/Kura Community Liaison Lead
I have spent the last two years working towards my level 4 in mental health and addiction support, whilst working at a marae based provider in their Te Aō Maori mental health team and wellness hub working alongside whanau of all walks of life. I’ve enjoy working with our rangatahi, and are passionate about providing them a space to have a voice within the health research field. I believe it is important providing rangatahi opportunities to have a say in their future. I’ve worked closely with whanau providing wrap around services to encourage the bridging of the gap between Māori and clinical spaces.
Ka pu te ruha, ka hao te rangatahi.
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