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
Registered Nurse
CEO
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.
Stephanie Shankar
BHSc Midwifery
Financial Operations Manager
Ngāti Tūwharetoa
Steph is a māmā of 4 and a practicing Māori midwife, committed to ensuring the mana of wahine Māori and their whānau are upheld through their labour and birthing journey. This is reflected in her mahi in any role she steps into. With over 14 years of clinical experience in the Counties Manukau region, Steph's passion for rangatahi, equity and Māori health drive her work in research, health education and the development of culturally responsive health outcomes.
"Whaea" Te Inuwai Elia
Ngāti Tamaoho, Tainui
Kaiwhakahaere (Māori)
Whaea Te Inuwai Elia hails from Whaataapaka Marae in Karaka, located on the shores of the Manukau Harbour. Whaea brings to IUE Ltd her passion for tikanga Māori (Māori customs and traditional values) developed over many years of involvement in the marae and Te Kōhanga Reo (pre-school Māori language nests). Whaea was formerly involved in all aspects of Te Kōhanga Reo: from Māmā Awhi (peer support worker), Kaiako (teacher) through to Kaiwhakahaere (manager). Whaea has a unique world-view influenced by Te Kiingitanga (the Māori King movement) through which IUE Ltd ensures that our work together is authentic in its observance of tikanga Māori.
Saraela Ama
Administrator
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 last 2 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
Pacific Cultural Advisor
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, Steph and Whaea Te Inuwai Elia. 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.
Xiale Paane
Pacific Cultural Advisor
Ko Xiale Paane toku ingoa. I am a mama of a beautiful daughter and originate from the Pacific Islands. I am of Tongan, Niuean and Samoan descent. I achieved my Bachelor of Nursing Māori under the leadership and guidance of Misty, Steph, and Whaea Te Inuwai. I am a registered nurse and have spent the last year working for a Kaupapa Māori based service, including GP practice and school based services. My mahi is based around working alongside Māori and Pacific tamariki and rangatahi as a Mana Kidz and High School nurse. Within my mahi, I hope to facilitate equitable health outcomes for our Māori and Pacific whanau to ensure they receive culturally safe and competent care and lessen the health disparities they face.
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