Members
Information about the members of the Young Voices Advisory Group | Ngā Reo Māhuri.
The young voices advisory group | ngā reo māhuri is made up of eight members aged 18–26 years, who provide advice on aspects of the He Hoa Tiaki | Partners in Care programme.
Read more about our members below. They talk about their own personal health and disability experiences and why they are involved with Te Tāhū Hauora.
Tēnā rā tātou katoa
Ko Tongariro te maunga
Ko Tongariro te awa
Ngāti Tūwharetoa te iwi
Ngāti Tūrangitukua te hapu
Te Arawa te waka
Ko Ataahua-Anahere Hepi toku ingoa
Ataahua has worked alongside rangatahi since the age of 15, working with CanTeen, Te Haahi Mihinare and now Youthline Central South Island as their volunteer coordinator.
Ataahua has experience supporting whānau with disabilities and health conditions and has also worked in the mental health sector. She is excited to use her knowledge towards something that will benefit Māori, Pacific peoples and disabled people across Aotearoa.
Mai i matetū ki Tongariro, mai i te ihu ki te kei. Mai i te Ohomairangi ki waikorohū o Waihī, ki reira e tū tonu ana te whare ariki, ko au kei roto. Tīhei mauri ora!
Jaden was born and raised in Te Waiariki (Bay of Plenty) and is of both Māori (Ngāti Tūwharetoa) and European whakapapa. Passionately advocating for the transformative power of storytelling and personal identity, he actively promotes te reo, tikanga and mātauranga Māori.
In 2013, life threw Jaden a curveball when he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, a chronic autoimmune condition requiring him to be insulin dependent. He now actively supports the use of diabetic consumer technologies such as continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps, integrating them into his daily life.
His passions have led him to this role within the young voices advisory group, ensuring the voices of young Māori, Pacific peoples and his community facing similar challenges are heard and authentically represented.
Oranga whenua, oranga wairua.
If the land is healthy, so are the people.
Josh was born and raised by his mum and dad with his two sisters and two young aunts in Rotorua. Whānau has played a major role in his life; his paternal grandparents helped a lot with family care when cancer diagnoses impacted his family.
Josh was 4 years old when his older sister, then 6, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Josh was 9 years old when he was diagnosed with the same leukaemia, albeit a rarer form.
Now 25, Josh has spent much of his life shuffled around various parts of the health system, dealing with a large array of chemo-related side effects, including a heart condition, a rare and unexplained liver disease, osteoporosis, bleeding conditions and a major organ removal.
After commencing intensive mental health support in January 2021, Josh has since become a youth leader, ambassador and member director of the CanTeen board – a non-profit organisation supporting rangatahi affected by cancer.
He has spoken at domestic and international conferences representing cancer consumers and survivors and told his story in the media to raise awareness.
Josh studies at Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland, undertaking a bachelor of arts double majoring in politics and international relations and history.
Josh has recently focused on global health policy and security, using his experience and understanding of cancer and non-communicable (non-infectious) diseases to address inequities in health care policy and systems.
Talofa lava
Naomi Vailima is a proud Pacific advocate who works alongside young people with disabilities in the social justice and creative art space. She is Samoan, the youngest of four children and was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at the age of eight.
Naomi considers it a privilege to be a young Pacific leader with lived experience because it enables her to hear other people’s stories. Knowing what it’s like to be on the other end and struggling to find her voice means being a representative for her community is an honour.
Naomi is passionate about listening to people’s stories, bringing light to what’s not working and being a voice others can rely on. As a Pacific disabled person, the kaupapa of this group hits home, so she looks forward to where this journey leads for herself and her community.
Fa’afetai tele lava.
Natasha is a disability advocate who has lived experience with an invisible disability called foetal valproate syndrome. She also has lived experience with anxiety.
Natasha has been a part of some groups where she has shared her experiences, for example, whānau input to the digital experience framework, Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora; a law focus group for the review of the adult decision-making capacity law. She has also met with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to create a better workforce plan for people with disabilities.
Natasha is a youth ambassador for Foetal Anti-Convulsant Syndrome New Zealand, where she shares her experiences with others. She is the founder of a disabled youth forum in Auckland. In 2021, she told her story at the Assistive Technology Suppliers New Zealand Disability Expo.
Tiare Makanesi, a proud daughter of the Pacific, had poor experiences of the health system growing up. Her passion for Pacific peoples’ mental health and improving the health outcomes for her community continues to grow each day.
Tiare’s lived experiences of family violence, abuse, mental health and addictions and poor health care has encouraged her to be a voice for Pacific peoples.
Tiare was born in Dunedin and is now starting a new chapter in Christchurch. Being a representative for Pacific peoples and making sure they aren’t forgotten in conversations regarding health is extremely important to Tiare.
Tiare is proud to be a member of the young voices advisory group and aims to represent her community, family and culture wholeheartedly.
Jack (he/him/ia) grew up rurally in Murihiku | Southland, on a sheep and beef farm outside Winton, and now lives in Te Whanganui-a-Tara | Wellington. He brings the whakaaro of his whakapapa and lived experience as someone who is neurodivergent and a member of the rainbow community. These parts of who he is shape how he moves through the world. This is why he is committed to creating systems that centre those who are too often ignored, sidelined, or excluded.
Jack believes in the vision of Pae Ora (healthy futures for all). He believes in shifting power. That co-design and pātuitanga | partnership must move beyond transactional relationships and into transformation.
His kaumātua reminds him, “Humbleness is mana, as long as we remember who we are.” This kōrero is always at the back of Jack’s mind. It is also his approach to leadership, one which is grounded, relational, and unapologetically values driven.
Jack currently sits on the Te Waipounamu Regional Consumer Council (Te Whatu Ora), is Chairperson for InsideOUT Kōaro, is a Board/Council member for Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa (Family Planning), and works in the public sector. His commitment to equity, inclusion, and honouring te Tiriti o Waitangi in policy and practice is at the heart of it all.
- Ciccone Hakaraia-Turner (resigned 2025)
Ataahua Hepi
Tēnā rā tātou katoa
Ko Tongariro te maunga
Ko Tongariro te awa
Ngāti Tūwharetoa te iwi
Ngāti Tūrangitukua te hapu
Te Arawa te waka
Ko Ataahua-Anahere Hepi toku ingoa
Ataahua has worked alongside rangatahi since the age of 15, working with CanTeen, Te Haahi Mihinare and now Youthline Central South Island as their volunteer coordinator.
Ataahua has experience supporting whānau with disabilities and health conditions and has also worked in the mental health sector. She is excited to use her knowledge towards something that will benefit Māori, Pacific peoples and disabled people across Aotearoa.
Jaden Hura-White (Ngāti Tūwharetoa)
Mai i matetū ki Tongariro, mai i te ihu ki te kei. Mai i te Ohomairangi ki waikorohū o Waihī, ki reira e tū tonu ana te whare ariki, ko au kei roto. Tīhei mauri ora!
Jaden was born and raised in Te Waiariki (Bay of Plenty) and is of both Māori (Ngāti Tūwharetoa) and European whakapapa. Passionately advocating for the transformative power of storytelling and personal identity, he actively promotes te reo, tikanga and mātauranga Māori.
In 2013, life threw Jaden a curveball when he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, a chronic autoimmune condition requiring him to be insulin dependent. He now actively supports the use of diabetic consumer technologies such as continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps, integrating them into his daily life.
His passions have led him to this role within the young voices advisory group, ensuring the voices of young Māori, Pacific peoples and his community facing similar challenges are heard and authentically represented.
Oranga whenua, oranga wairua.
If the land is healthy, so are the people.
Joshua McMillan
Josh was born and raised by his mum and dad with his two sisters and two young aunts in Rotorua. Whānau has played a major role in his life; his paternal grandparents helped a lot with family care when cancer diagnoses impacted his family.
Josh was 4 years old when his older sister, then 6, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Josh was 9 years old when he was diagnosed with the same leukaemia, albeit a rarer form.
Now 25, Josh has spent much of his life shuffled around various parts of the health system, dealing with a large array of chemo-related side effects, including a heart condition, a rare and unexplained liver disease, osteoporosis, bleeding conditions and a major organ removal.
After commencing intensive mental health support in January 2021, Josh has since become a youth leader, ambassador and member director of the CanTeen board – a non-profit organisation supporting rangatahi affected by cancer.
He has spoken at domestic and international conferences representing cancer consumers and survivors and told his story in the media to raise awareness.
Josh studies at Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland, undertaking a bachelor of arts double majoring in politics and international relations and history.
Josh has recently focused on global health policy and security, using his experience and understanding of cancer and non-communicable (non-infectious) diseases to address inequities in health care policy and systems.
Naomi Vailima
Talofa lava
Naomi Vailima is a proud Pacific advocate who works alongside young people with disabilities in the social justice and creative art space. She is Samoan, the youngest of four children and was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at the age of eight.
Naomi considers it a privilege to be a young Pacific leader with lived experience because it enables her to hear other people’s stories. Knowing what it’s like to be on the other end and struggling to find her voice means being a representative for her community is an honour.
Naomi is passionate about listening to people’s stories, bringing light to what’s not working and being a voice others can rely on. As a Pacific disabled person, the kaupapa of this group hits home, so she looks forward to where this journey leads for herself and her community.
Fa’afetai tele lava.
Natasha Astill
Natasha is a disability advocate who has lived experience with an invisible disability called foetal valproate syndrome. She also has lived experience with anxiety.
Natasha has been a part of some groups where she has shared her experiences, for example, whānau input to the digital experience framework, Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora; a law focus group for the review of the adult decision-making capacity law. She has also met with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to create a better workforce plan for people with disabilities.
Natasha is a youth ambassador for Foetal Anti-Convulsant Syndrome New Zealand, where she shares her experiences with others. She is the founder of a disabled youth forum in Auckland. In 2021, she told her story at the Assistive Technology Suppliers New Zealand Disability Expo.
Tiare Makanesi
Tiare Makanesi, a proud daughter of the Pacific, had poor experiences of the health system growing up. Her passion for Pacific peoples’ mental health and improving the health outcomes for her community continues to grow each day.
Tiare’s lived experiences of family violence, abuse, mental health and addictions and poor health care has encouraged her to be a voice for Pacific peoples.
Tiare was born in Dunedin and is now starting a new chapter in Christchurch. Being a representative for Pacific peoples and making sure they aren’t forgotten in conversations regarding health is extremely important to Tiare.
Tiare is proud to be a member of the young voices advisory group and aims to represent her community, family and culture wholeheartedly.
Jack Ruddenklau (Ngāti Tukorehe, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga), New Zealand European (He Pākehā hoki ahau)
Jack (he/him/ia) grew up rurally in Murihiku | Southland, on a sheep and beef farm outside Winton, and now lives in Te Whanganui-a-Tara | Wellington. He brings the whakaaro of his whakapapa and lived experience as someone who is neurodivergent and a member of the rainbow community. These parts of who he is shape how he moves through the world. This is why he is committed to creating systems that centre those who are too often ignored, sidelined, or excluded.
Jack believes in the vision of Pae Ora (healthy futures for all). He believes in shifting power. That co-design and pātuitanga | partnership must move beyond transactional relationships and into transformation.
His kaumātua reminds him, “Humbleness is mana, as long as we remember who we are.” This kōrero is always at the back of Jack’s mind. It is also his approach to leadership, one which is grounded, relational, and unapologetically values driven.
Jack currently sits on the Te Waipounamu Regional Consumer Council (Te Whatu Ora), is Chairperson for InsideOUT Kōaro, is a Board/Council member for Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa (Family Planning), and works in the public sector. His commitment to equity, inclusion, and honouring te Tiriti o Waitangi in policy and practice is at the heart of it all.
Previous members
- Ciccone Hakaraia-Turner (resigned 2025)
Published: 23 May 2024
Modified: 1 Apr 2025
