Iwi United Engaged Team
With over 26 years of experience working alongside Māori communities, our team brings expertise in Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its practical application across health, research, and community initiatives. Guided by tikanga and kawa, we combine experience in nursing, nursing education, midwifery, and engineering research to deliver culturally informed and meaningful research that supports better outcomes for Māori.
misty@iue.net.nz
0274890804
Misty Edmonds
Chief Executive Officer Registered Nurse
Ngāpuhi|Ngāti Tūwharetoa
Ko Misty tōku ingoa.
I bring more than 26 years of experience working alongside Māori communities throughout the Counties Manukau region as a Registered Nurse, Nursing Educator, and Project Manager. Throughout my career, I have been passionate about improving health outcomes and reducing inequities, particularly for Māori. I strongly value Te Tiriti o Waitangi as a foundation for creating meaningful partnerships and addressing inequities across health, research, and community settings.
My background in health has provided me with unique skills in developing and strengthening Tiriti-based partnerships between Māori and non-Māori organisations. I am passionate about creating opportunities for genuine collaboration, ensuring that Māori voices, aspirations, and priorities are reflected in the work we do.
I founded Iwi United Engaged Ltd in response to the growing demand for culturally grounded expertise within the health, research, and technology sectors. Through this work, I bring together a team focused on project delivery, research development, and cultural competency building. Together, we support organisations to engage effectively with Māori communities, embed Te Tiriti principles into practice, and contribute to positive outcomes for whānau, hapū, and iwi.
My passion lies in connecting communities, research, and innovation in ways that are meaningful, equitable, and beneficial for Māori, ensuring that our people are not only included in conversations but are leading and shaping them.
Ki te noho wahangū te hunga tika, ka puāwai te kino. Ko mātou, kei te whakatika, kei te mahi.
kahu@iue.net.nz
021413622
Kahu Ama
Chief Operations Officer|Platforms, Initiatives & Services Governance Registered Nurse
Ngāti Tūwharetoa|Ngāti Hinemanu|Ngāpuhi
I am a proud mama of four beautiful daughters and a Registered Nurse with a strong background in community and Māori health. In the early years of my career, I worked within marae-based health services, including general practice and community clinics, where much of my mahi focused on supporting Māori and Pasifika rangatahi and whānau.
I am an Authorised Vaccinator and an experienced Mana Kidz Nurse, with postgraduate qualifications in Health Science specialising in Māori Health. Throughout my career, I have built extensive networks and relationships, particularly within Māori and Pacific communities.
I am passionate about improving health outcomes for Māori and Pacific whānau and strengthening the connections between research, clinical practice, and our communities. My work is driven by a commitment to ensuring that health initiatives, services, and research are culturally responsive, accessible, and meaningful for the people they are intended to serve.
Ko te mana motuhake kia ū tuku whakarere iho to mana Māori e puritia kia kaha e
langi@iue.net.nz
0226784012
Langi Kepu Kosene Apiata
Pasifika platform clinical lead|Services lead|Kura liaison Registered Nurse
Ngāpuhi|Tongan|Samoan|Niuean
I am proud to descend from both Māori and Pacific whakapapa, with connections to Ngāpuhi, Tonga, Samoa, and Niue. I completed my Bachelor of Nursing (Māori) under the leadership and mentorship of Whaea Misty, which helped shape my commitment to advancing equitable health outcomes for Māori and Pacific peoples.
My work is grounded in a passion for supporting Māori and Pacific communities through nursing, research, and community engagement. I bring experience in applying both Māori and Pacific health frameworks to ensure that research and health initiatives are culturally responsive, meaningful, and aligned with the aspirations of the communities they serve.
I am committed to addressing the health disparities and inequities experienced by Māori and Pacific peoples by helping bridge the gap between health services, research, and our communities. Through building strong relationships and fostering genuine engagement, I strive to contribute to solutions that empower whānau and communities to achieve better health and wellbeing outcomes.
I believe that meaningful change occurs when Māori and Pacific voices are central to the design, delivery, and evaluation of health initiatives, and I am passionate about ensuring that our communities are active partners in shaping their own futures.
Ehara taku toa e te toa takitahi, engare he toa takutini
ben@iue.net.nz
0277778829
Benjamin Martin
Platform Lead | Content development
Ngāpuhi
Prior to joining Iwi United Engaged (IUE), I spent two years working towards completing my Level 4 qualification in Mental Health and Addiction Support while working within a marae-based provider as part of the Te Ao Māori Mental Health Team and Wellness Hub. During this time, I worked alongside whānau from all walks of life, supporting their wellbeing through a kaupapa Māori approach and helping to create pathways for positive change.
I particularly enjoy working with rangatahi and am passionate about ensuring they have opportunities to have their voices heard within the health and research sectors. I believe it is important that rangatahi are given meaningful opportunities to contribute to decisions that will shape their futures and the wellbeing of their communities.
My experience includes working closely with whānau to provide wrap-around support services that help bridge the gap between Māori and clinical spaces. Through this mahi, I have developed a strong understanding of the importance of culturally responsive approaches that empower whānau and strengthen connections between communities and health services.
Ka pū te ruha, ka hao te rangatahi
Kōrero Mai|Let's Connect
