14 Dec Meet our new CEO, Megan Tunks

E te manukura, e te amokura, nau mai, haere mai. I tūwhera ai ngā kūaha katoa kia tomo mai koe. Mauria mai o taonga, mauria mai o whēakonga, mauria mai o whakaaro rangatira. Nau mai, tauti mai ki te whānau o Toi Tangata.

We are so happy to introduce Megan Tunks, the new Kaiwhakahaere Matua, CEO of Toi Tangata. Megan (Te Whānau-a-Apanui, Te Whakatōhea), brings valuable experience to this key role and will take the reins from Callie Corrigan, who has served as interim CEO since the departure of Leonie Matoe in October 2016.

With over 20 years’ experience in the sector, she is likely a familiar face to many of you already, joining the team from the Health Promotion Agency where she has held the role of Senior Advisor Māori for the past three years.

Announcing Megan’s appointment, chairperson Shane Ngatai says, “the Toi Tangata Board have selected a strong, inclusive leader with an impressive track record in health promotion. We are excited about the opportunities Megan’s appointment will bring and very confident in her ability to lead Toi Tangata as our Kaiwhakahaere Matua. She has the ability to inspire, energise and connect through her notable networks and relationships within and outside the health sector.”

After an extensive search from a strong field of applicants, Megan impressed the board with her transformational leadership kaupapa during the selection process.

Reflecting on her appointment, Megan says “I am looking forward to working with the team at Toi Tangata and building on the gains made by both the staff and the board in inspiring and enabling whānau to improve their physical health and wellbeing.”

To date Megan has had an had impressive career, with an extensive background in the public health sector having previously worked for the Auckland DHB and Hapai Te Hauora Tapui as well as spending time earlier in her career as a lecturer of the Bachelors of Health Promotion at the School of Health, Auckland University of Technology.

She holds a number of educational qualifications including a Masters of Philosophy (Māori Health Education) with First Class Honours, a Diploma in Secondary Education and a Bachelor of Arts (Maori Studies).

We are excited to see what this new chapter brings and have full confidence in Megan’s ability as she takes the helm of Toi Tangata. Megan will join the team in January next year. She will be officially welcomed onto the team at a powhiri to be held on January 18 at Waipapa Marae, Auckland.

Nā Toni Pivac