He uri teenei noo Ngati Koroki Kahukura o roto o Waikato-Tainui, Rongowhakaata Te Aitanga-aa-Maahaki ki te Tairawhiti, Ngati Haka Patuheuheu ki te whaarua o Tuhoe ki Waiohau, Mai i te Moutere o Rarotonga ki Takuvaine, Kia Orana, Meitaki.
Ko Karaitiana (Tama) Ripaki-Tamatea ahau. Fluent in Te Reo Maaori me oona tikanga, I grew up in Kirikiriroa fully immersed in maatauranga Maaori through Kura Kaupapa and Wharekura. I graduated from AUT in 2014 and throughout my studies I was involved in the Tuakana-Teina mentoring program, and the Kia Ora Haora Program focused on Maaori workforce development. I spent time in public health working as a physiotherapist at North Shore, Waitakere and Waikato Hospital delivering rehabilitation for Orthopaedic post-surgery; Musculoskeletal conditions, and Chronic Pain services. I’m passionate about Kaupapa Maaori and Maaori Health Development in all shapes and forms. I have a strong interest in engaging with Maaori through sports, performing arts, and career choices working in health. In addition to my clinical capacity at Mauri Tu Physiotherapy, I work for Aki Innovations in delivering community rehabilitation under the Training for Independence program in Waikato-Tainui.View details »
