Christine Brears, of Taumaranui, ONZM for services to Maori and health
Christine Brears, along with two others, established the Māori Community Health Trust that became the Taumarunui Community Kokiri Trust, an award-winning organisation of which she has remained CEO. The Trust employs more than 100 staff, making it Taumarunui’s largest employer, and offers a range of integrated services. Mrs Brears has negotiated with tertiary institutes to provide trade training programme opportunities for staff and community members. She is heavily involved in local iwi activities. She has provided representation on the National Hau Ora Coalition, and represented Ngati Maniapoto on the Piki Te Ora Partnership Advisory Board to Waikato District Health Board, as a member of the Iwi Māori Council of Waikato District Health Board, and on various health taskforces. She was a founding member and Chair of Toiora Primary Health Organisation.