21st WONCA World Rural Health Conference, 10-13 April 2026: Read More – WONCA 2026 | Home
Tania Chamberlain: A Vision for Māori Health and Community Wellbeing
Tania Chamberlain, Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Ngāti Kahungunu ki Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua, has spent over 30 years in the health sector. With a focus on providing equitable and culturally safe healthcare to whānau, particularly through the development of Hauora and social services. Chamberlain is passionate about ensuring her community has access to services designed for them, by them.
Tania shares with us her personal story, the work of Ngāti Kahungunu ki Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua, and her vision for the future of rural health in Aotearoa.
“My background spans health over 30 years, but at the heart of everything I do has always been a deep commitment to equity,” says Tania Chamberlain. As someone strongly connected to her Māori heritage, Chamberlain’s work is driven by a desire to ensure whānau receive healthcare that is not only of high quality but also culturally appropriate. This personal commitment stems from painful experiences within her own family.
“Too many of our very close whānau have died far too young—from preventable illnesses. My diabetic brother went blind in one eye from not wanting to access services due to an overdue account and poor health literacy. The system is failing our people, and I cannot accept that,” she explains.
Her role at Ngāti Kahungunu ki Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua involves leading the creation of an iwi-led medical practice, Te Kahu Hauora Practice. “Through our new practice, we are creating a space where whānau feel safe, respected, and valued. A place where they know their health and wellbeing matters,” says Chamberlain.
Ngāti Kahungunu ki Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua plays a pivotal role in supporting the local community through a range of health, social, and economic services. “We engage with our whānau and community, asking them their kōrero and what their dreams and aspirations are, and how we can support that,” Chamberlain explains.
The services provided include Rangatahi services, Māori mobile community nurse-led services, mental health support, housing repairs, and health promotion events, among others. Recently, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua added a General Practitioner/Nurse Practitioner to their kete, creating an integrated model of care that combines kaupapa Māori values with clinical excellence.
“By designing a model of care that is whānau-centred, based on prevention rather than treatment, and culturally safe, we hope to create a health service that truly reflects our identity,” Chamberlain shares.
Rural communities in New Zealand, particularly Māori populations, face significant challenges in accessing healthcare. “In the Tararua, our Māori population is 23%, higher than the national average, and we face difficulties in ensuring services reach people in remote areas,” says Chamberlain. “We are trying to tackle these challenges by creating more local, mobile health services and advocating for equitable funding and resources.”
Chamberlain emphasizes the importance of collective impact, working together with the community, the local council, and other providers to ensure that services are accessible and effective for those who need them most.
As for the future, Chamberlain sees Ngāti Kahungunu ki Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua continuing to lead the way in community-led service delivery. “In the next five years, we hope to grow our rangatahi to take over leadership roles so that myself and others can step back,” she says.
The iwi also aspires to build a complex where all their services can be delivered from a community space that feels welcoming to everyone. “We want to incorporate Rongoā Māori alongside mainstream healthcare practices to provide holistic services for our whānau,” she says.
Chamberlain’s involvement with Hauora Taiwhenua, the Rural Health Network, is another key aspect of her advocacy. She’s been a member since 2018 and has remained deeply connected to the organisation as she transitioned through various roles in the health sector.
“I feel very lucky to be in this space, advocating for Māori-led solutions in rural health,” Chamberlain says. Her position has allowed her to contribute to the larger conversation on rural health and ensure that Māori voices are heard at the decision-making table.
Chamberlain’s advice to anyone considering joining Hauora Taiwhenua is clear: “Just do it! If you care about rural health and want to be part of real change, Hauora Taiwhenua is the place to be.”
Outside of her professional commitments, Chamberlain enjoys spending time with her whānau, particularly her grandchildren, whom she has every weekend. “Although they tire me at times, we wouldn’t have it any other way,” she says with a laugh. Chamberlain also enjoys time at the beach, camping, and being a motorsport spectator when she can.
In terms of career aspirations, Chamberlain’s ideal “swap” would be to learn from indigenous communities abroad. “I’d love to travel and work, visiting other countries to learn about their indigenous models of care,” she says. “I’d want to understand their successes and bring those insights back home.”
For Chamberlain, this mission is not just a job—it’s a responsibility to her whānau, hapū, and iwi. And with the support of Hauora Taiwhenua and her community, she is helping to pave the way for lasting change.
