Robyn Richardson

Robyn is a mother of five and a grandmother of two.  Their whānau are creating their papakainga at the back of the Ōhakea Airforce Base on ancestral whenua. 

Robyn has a strong connection to the environment and ensuring sustainability into the future for the next generations.  Robyn brings these skills to the leadership team of seeking pathways of ease to achieve outcomes within a very complex, complicated space for now and future generations to come.

She is a Rongo – a Māori Practitioner and is committed to bringingTraditional Healing Systems to create change for all people. Robyn is also a Programme Co-ordinator for Te Rau Puawai Māori Mental Health Workforce Development within the College of Health, Massey University since 2010.  

Robyn became involved in the health sector in 1996 when she joined the Disabilities Resource Centre, now Enable New Zealand, then Te Runanga o Raukawa as a Mental Health Support Worker followed onto MidCentral District Health Board Public Health Service and Central Primary Health Organisation as a Health Promotion Advisor.

She represents Raukawa on the Mana Whenua Hauora Iwi Relationship Board to the MidCentral District Health Board, is a hapū representative for Te Runanga o Raukawa, is a trustee for Te Rōpū Hokowhitu, and Central Primary Health Organisation Board.  Robyn is of Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Ngāti Huia, Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Ngāti Hauiti ki Rata, Te Whānau ā Apanui and Ngāti Whanaunga ki Hauraki descent.

Robyn has just commenced a Professional Doctorate through Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi.