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Paaparangi Reid initiated the project and developed the conceptual and analytical framework, and the book structure. Fiona Cram coordinated the project and managed the book and website production. Gordon Purdie carried out the statistical analyses. Donna Cormack contributed to the final production of the book. Bridget Robson and Ricci Harris edited the book. Individual authors are named on the chapters they wrote and are listed below.
Dr Joanne Baxter (Kai Tahu, Kati Mamoe, Waitaha, Ngati Apa) is a mother of two girls and is a Maori health and mental health researcher and lecturer based in Te Ropu Rakahau Hauora Maori a Kai Tahu, in the Dunedin School of Medicine. Joanne trained in medicine in Auckland and has a background in psychiatry and public health. She has research interests in Maori mental health and in understanding and addressing health disparities e.g., the impact of racism on health. Joanne's research includes working on Te Rau Hinengaro (the New Zealand Mental Health Survey) and investigating ethnicity and health in the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit.
Julia Carr is a public health physician with an interest in Maori health, politics of health, primary health care and prison health. She is a Pakeha New Zealander, currently working in Planning and Funding at District Health Board level. Julia was educated at University of Otago and through life and work in Wellington, Zimbabwe and by Ngati Porou on the East Coast.
Donna Cormack, Waitaha, Kati Mamoe, Kai Tahu, is a mother to Te Manaia and a Maori health researcher with Te Ropu Rangahau Hauora a Eru Pomare at the Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Donna has been involved in work on the collection and classification of ethnicity data in Aotearoa/New Zealand, particularly as it relates to measuring and monitoring disparities. Most recently, Donna has been focused on work examining disparities in cancer outcomes and access to cancer services for Maori. Donna has a particular interest in discourses of 'race', ethnicity and health, and the ways in which these discourses work to maintain or challenge taken-for-granted knowledge in Aotearoa. She is currently completing her PhD investigating the ways in which elite discourses, such as those of the media and politicians represent social groups and social relations in Aotearoa.
Dr Fiona Cram, Ngati Kahungunu, mother of one son, PhD (University of Otago: Social and Developmental Psychology), is the Director of a small research, evaluation and training company, Katoa Ltd. Previously, Fiona was variously in the Departments of Psychology and Education at the University of Auckland; and a Senior Research Fellow in the International Research Institute for Maori and Indigenous Peoples (IRI), University of Auckland. Fiona's research interests are wide-ranging and include Maori health (including whanau violence, health service provision, and genetics), Maori and community development, and social service provision.
Dr Sue Crengle is from the Waitaha, Kati Mamoe and Kai Tahu tribes in Aotearoa/ New Zealand. She graduated with her medical and Master of Public Health degrees from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Auckland University. She holds specialty qualifications in general practice and public health medicine. She was a recipient of the Harkness Fellowship in Health Policy 1999-2000, spending time at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA. On her return from the US she spent a year working as a Senior Advisor in the Ministry of Health. She is currently a Senior Lecturer in Te Kupenga Hauora Maori, and Director of Tomaiora Maori Health Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Heath Sciences, University of Auckland. Her current research interests include health services research, quality of care, and surveys about youth and Maori men's health.
Dr Elana Taipapaki Curtis (Ngati Rongomai, Ngati Pikiao, Te Arawa) is a public health physician currently working as Senior Lecturer Medical at Te Kupenga Hauora Maori, University of Auckland. She is Kaiarahi of Hikitia Te Ora - Certificate in Health Sciences, a pre-degree programme aimed at increasing the number of Maori and Pacific students entering into Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing and Health Sciences. In 2004-2005, Elana was a Harkness Fellow in Healthcare Policy based at the University of California - San Francisco investigating ethnic disparities in breast cancer mortality and survival. Prior to this, Elana worked at the National Screening Unit, Ministry of Health in Wellington where she investigated Maori/non-Maori disparities in breast cancer epidemiology and at Te Ropu Rangahau Hauora a Eru Pomare at the University of Otago investigating ethnic disparities in access to invasive cardiovascular procedures/caesarean sections and the relationship between disparities and deprivation. She is a member of the Maori Cardiovascular Advisory Group, Independent Monitoring Group for Cervical Cancer Screening and has been actively involved in developing Te Ohu Rata o Aotearoa - Maori Medical Practitioners Association (Te ORA). Her research interests include investigating ethnic inequalities in health using a Kaupapa Maori Research framework in order to eliminate existing disparities.
Dr Ricci Harris (Ngati Kahungunu, Ngati Raukawa, Ngai Tahu) is a public health physician at Te Ropu Rangahau Hauora a Eru Pomare, Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Ricci has a particular in interest in Maori health research, epidemiology and the investigation of ethnic inequalities in Aotearoa/New Zealand. This has included research into sleep disorders, the classification of ethnicity, ethnic disparities in caesarean sections and cardiovascular procedures, the impact of socioeconomic position on ethnic inequalities in mortality, and the impact of racism on health and ethnic inequalities. Ricci is also a member of the Maori advisory group for the National Screening Unit.
Dr Matire Harwood (Nga Puhi) studied at the Auckland School of Medicine and now works as a GP and Maori health researcher in Wellington. She is currently involved in a number of research projects including a study that aims to improve stroke recovery for Maori and their whanau and the Health Inequalities Research Project (Unequal Treatment for Maori with Ischaemic Heart Disease). She also provides commentary for the Maori Health Research Review, an e journal for providers and researchers. Other work interests include Maori and ethics, asthma management and protection of the environment (as member of Nga Kaihautu Tikanga Taiao). Outside of work Matire is mum to Te Rangiura and a keen waka ama paddler!
Vera Keefe-Ormsby, Ngati Pahauwera, Ngati Raukawa, Rongomaiwahine, is Mum to one son, Jayden. Vera worked as a school dental nurse in the Hawkes Bay region from the mid 1970s to the mid 1980s. She then moved to Wellington and worked in the Maori Health Policy section of the Department of Health. In 1993 she joined Te Pumanawa Hauora ki Te Whanganui a Tara, later known as Te Ropu Rangahau Hauora a Eru Pomare. Vera was involved in a number of research projects, with one particular study, 'Mauri Tangata' investigating the effects of job loss on health amongst redundant freezing workers in the Hawkes' Bay region, being her 'baby'. Other research interests included oral health, Maori health providers, kaupapa Maori research, ethnicity data quality, and eliminating inequalities. A strong advocate for the Treaty of Waitangi and for Maori communities, Vera was also heavily involved in iwi, hapu and whanau health care including the Hawkes Bay DHB, Wairoa PHO and the Ngati Pahauwera Hauora Society. Sadly Vera passed away 26 August 2005, but her contribution to Maori health development continues Tatai whetu ki te rangi, mau tonu, mau tonu; tatai tangata ki te whenua, ngaro noa, ngaro noa.
Pauline Koopu, Te Whanau-a-Apanui, Ngati Konohi, Ngati Kahu. Pauline graduated as a dentist in 1996 (BDS, Otago) and has worked in Wellington Hospital dental department for most of her career. In 2005, she was the first Maori woman to attain a Masters in community dentistry (MCommDent, Otago) and her thesis research looked at Maori oral health service utilisation and Maori oral health outcomes. Pauline has worked as a research fellow for Te Ropu Rangahau Hauora a Eru Pomare and as a senior oral health advisor for the Ministry of Health.
Dr Kara Mihaere, Rangitane, Ngati Kahungunu, Ngati Maniapoto, PhD (Massey University: Public Health), is an Intern Clinical Psychologist at Rangataua Mauriora, Tu Te Wehi - Primary Mental Health Service, Porirua. Previously, Kara has worked as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Sleep/Wake Research Centre, Massey University and Te Ropu Rangahau a Eru Pomare, Wellington School of Medicine & Health Sciences.
Dr Sarah-Jane Paine (Tuhoe) was raised in Wairoa, Hawkes Bay and is currently based at the Sleep/Wake Research Centre at Massey University in Wellington. Her PhD thesis focused on whether individual differences in the timing of human sleep are related to differences in the circadian biological clock or driven by societal demands, such as work patterns and family commitments. Sarah-Jane is also committed to carrying out research that is beneficial for Maori, and continues to develop her understanding of kaupapa Maori research methodologies and she is particularly interested in the ethical implications of genetic research for Maori communities.
Suzanne Pitama (nee Meihana), Ngati Kahungunu, co- founded and is Co-Director of the Maori/Indigenous Health Institute (MIHI), University of Otago - Christchurch. Over the last five years she has led development and evaluation of the Hauora Maori medical curriculum, both at the Christchurch School and a University level. She has previously worked clinically with ante-natal and post-natal adolescents before specialising in working with children (5-17 years) with severe and challenging behaviours. She currently practises in a part-time capacity in the Department of Paediatrics, Christchurch Hospital. Suzanne has engaged in Maori health research for more than 12 years and is currently leading a major study of cardiovascular disease in the Maori community.
Dr Ramon Pink (Te Aupouri, Te Rarawa) is a public health physician, married with three children. He is currently employed by the Canterbury District Health Board as a Medical Officer of Health. His responsibilities include Maori Health and Communicable Diseases. Previously Ramon worked as a general practitioner in Otara, South Auckland, and then for the Counties Manukau District Health Board, focusing on improved access to primary care services for Maori. His research interest in bronchiectasis is generated from the impact of this disease on whanau, and from his clinical experiences in general practice.
Gordon Purdie works as a statistician in the Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington. He is part of a team providing statistical consulting to health researchers and works with Te Ropu Rangahau Hauora a Eru Pomare on several research projects. His concerns include discrimination and inequalities.
Dr Mihi Ratima PhD, Whakatohea and Ngati Awa, is a Commonwealth Fund Harkness Fellow in Health Care Policy with a joint appointment at the Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, US. In late 2007 she will return to her role as associate professor and director of Taupua Waiora Centre for Maori Health Research, AUT University. Her research interests are in the areas of health promotion, health workforce development, and reducing ethnic health disparities. She was formerly a World Health Organization analyst, a Fulbright scholar, a researcher with Te Pumanawa Hauora and the Centre for Public Health Research, Massey University and a diplomat.
Dr Keri Huia Ratima MB ChB M Med Sci DPH FRNZCGP., Whakatohea and Ngati Awa, is the Tumuaki Whakangungu Maori (Maori Director of Training) at the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP). She and Mihi are sisters, and she has two wonderful sons Taako and Heremia. She has previously worked in general practice in Opotiki, in Maori health research at Massey University, and in healthcare policy in the National Health Committee in Wellington. Her research interests mirror her sister's.
Dr Papaarangi Reid, Te Rarawa, is a public health physician with a research interest in equity and monitoring Crown action to eliminate ethnic inequalities in health between Maori and non-Maori New Zealanders. A leading advocate for Maori health issues, she has worked in health promotion, tobacco control, the determinants of health, workforce development and kaupapa Maori research. Formerly director of Te Ropu Rangahau Hauora a Eru Pomare, she is currently the Tumuaki in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland.
Dr Tania Te Akau Riddell, Ngati Porou and Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Public Health Specialist and Senior Research Fellow at the School of Population Health, University of Auckland. Tania has a background as a general practitioner and lives with her whanau in Auckland. She is currently working on a cardiovascular risk assessment and management project at the Section of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Auckland. Her other research interests include the social determinants of health inequalities and the effects of racism on health.
Bridget Robson, Ngati Raukawa, is a senior research fellow and director of Te Ropu Rangahau Hauora a Eru Pomare at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, Wellington. Her research interests are in the areas of the social and economic determinants of health, inequitable treatment in the health system, the impact of racism on health and the development of a kaupapa Maori epidemiology. Bridget was an author on Hauora: Standards of Health III. She is currently working on the Mauri Tangata project on unemployment and health, is leading the Unequal Treatment research project on disparities in health care, is involved in several projects on Maori cancer outcomes, including the Unequal Impact series, and is active in providing Tackling Inequalities workshops for the health sector.
Carey Robson, Ngati Raukawa, is from Wellington. She has worked at Wellington Hospital and at Te Ropu Rangahau Hauora a Eru Pomare, and conducted a study of discourses on Maori health in the media. She has an MA from Auckland University, in which she studied Maori health history.
Dr David Tipene-Leach is a Ngati Kere from Porangahau in the Hawkes Bay. He is presently a GP for Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga. With postgraduate qualifications in public health he has interests in the prevention of diabetes and the prevention of SIDS in the Maori community. He has served in the past on the Advisory Committee on Primary Care, ALAC, and the national Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee. He was Senior Lecturer in Maori Health at the University of Auckland and was the foundation Chair of Te Ora, the Maori Medical Practitioners Association before returning to general practice in 2001.