Championing cultural safety in healthcare, one whānau at a time.

As Patient Services Manager at Southern Cross Rotorua Hospital, Tiweka’s leadership is helping the next generation of Māori and Pasifika healthcare professionals thrive. She champions equitable access, strengthens relationships with training providers, and is working towards more graduate nursing positions being filled by Māori and Pasifika.

Tiweka’s approach to care is deeply rooted in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Ao Māori — connection to the land, maunga, awa, and whakapapa. She was inspired by a mentor she describes as having incredible āhua (energy) and a gift for building whanaungatanga with patients and their whānau.

Her own journey began following in the footsteps of her five aunties, starting as an enrolled nurse, as many Māori and Pasifika women did at the time. After a career break to raise her whānau, she returned to healthcare through sterile services at Queen Elizabeth (QE) Hospital in Rotorua. With the hospital’s financial support, she completed a bridging programme at Rotorua Polytech to become a registered nurse.

In 2009, Tiweka joined Southern Cross Rotorua Hospital, stepping into the Patient Services Manager role four years ago. It’s a leadership role that closely aligns to her commitment to ensuring every healthcare assistant and nurse at Southern Cross Rotorua Hospital can reach their full potential.