Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC)

Dr Robyn Manuel (Te Rarawa, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Kurī and Te Aupōuri) (Chair)

Robyn was born and raised in Mangere, South Auckland. After high school she began training as a Medical Laboratory Technologist at the former Princess Mary Children's Hospital. Since then, she has completed a PhD in Chemistry and other post-graduate qualifications in Public Health and Secondary School Teaching and was the Director of the Certificate in Health Sciences (Auckland Medical School) from 1999 to 2005. 

Robyn is passionate about contributing to the reduction of ethnic inequities in health and education and increasing Māori and Pacific participation in STEM careers. Robyn has been a lecturer at the University of Auckland and AUT University teaching within the discipline of Population Health. Her current role is Research Scientist (Pou Rangahau Pūtaiao) working at the interface of Mātauranga Māori and Science.

Nele Kalolo (Deputy Chair)

Nele is a Samoan-born, South Auckland raised Tama'ita'i Samoa. She has completed a Certificate of Health Science from the University of Auckland's Te Kupenga Hauora Māori and is currently a conjoint in Health Science and Arts. She was an Auckland DHB Rangatahi Cadet in 2019/20 where she focused on the provision of culturally appropriate mental health services.

Nele is currently a multidisciplinary advocate for Māori and Pasifika youth with various roles in the University of Auckland, Le Va, Pacific Climate Warriors and UNICEF. Her work centres peoples and their relationships and she plans to bring the "275" to the world.

Leo Junior (LJ) Apaipo

LJ was born and bred in Ōtepoti with his siblings Te Reo, Brandon and Tamara. He has been involved in the Ōtepoti hāpori and has worked in Community Development and advocacy, locally and nationally, with vast experience in Youth Work, Social Services, Health, Mental Health and Addictions, and Disability in both Mainstream and Local Government, as well as the NGO sector, in Otago and nationally. 

Most recently he was Consumer Engagement Advisor, Pacific, within He Hoa Tiaki (Partners in Care) at Te Tāhū Hauora (Health Quality & Safety Commission), as well as supporting the Mental Health and Addictions programme. LJ Was the Secretary for Te Waipounamu Māori Rugby Board for their most successful years, creating opportunities for taiohi. An incumbent Board member of the Dunedin Night Shelter Trust, Mana Pasefika (a National Pacific DPO for Mental Health Addictions & Disability), the Disabled Persons Organisation (DPO) Coalition and of course THETA. 

Pui-Yi Cheng

Pui-Yi has more than 10 years’ experience as a communications professional in the not-for-profit sector in New Zealand, Australia and the UK. She is currently Strategic Communications & PR Manager at Breast Cancer Foundation NZ. 

Pui-Yi is passionate about using storytelling for social change and providing a platform for marginalised voices to be heard, having worked with a diverse range of communities including people affected by cancer, people living with disabilities and mental health difficulties, indigenous peoples, and refugees and asylum seekers. Born in Malaysia, Pui-Yi immigrated to Aotearoa with her parents as a toddler and now calls Tāmaki Makaurau home.

Jesse Davis (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Manu)

Jesse was born and raised in the Karetu Valley and calls the Bay of Islands home. After high school, Jesse began his career as a community pharmacy technician practising across the mid-north for over half a decade. Jesse completed a Certificate in Health Sciences in 2022 at the University of Auckland – Waipapa Taumata Rau and is currently studying in the Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery Programme (MBChB) there. Jesse hopes to return home to the winterless north as a much needed rural GP.

Jesse presently serves as a champion for equity for Māori and rural New Zealanders, holding diverse roles at the University of Auckland, Te Whatu Ora, and Toimaiora. These are roles that empower whānau and ensure that no matter where we live across the motu, we can thrive.

Lucy Elwood

Lucy has worked in Wellington at the intersection of consumers, Government, and commerce for most of the past 20 years. After studying genetics and law, she practised as a lawyer before moving into broader management roles. She has significant experience representing consumers and ensuring processes consider consumer voice. She has advocated for improved access to medicines, including when she was Chief Executive of the Cancer Society of NZ Inc and Chair of Rare Disorders NZ. 

Lucy is passionate about improving health and other social outcomes. She is currently on the Board of two charities (RMHC and Te Toi Mahana) and on commercial boards. Outside of work, Lucy lives with her whānau and loves walking up Wellington’s hills.

Hazel Heal

Hazel is a patient advocate for people living with hepatitis C and is particularly interested in improving access to medicines.  She has recently completed her law degree and is a co-founder of Global Health New Zealand, an organisation looking at international issues around medicine access, population health and human rights. In her spare time, she likes to walk her dogs and tackle a large garden. Hazel lives in Dunedin.

Georgina Johnson (Ngati Porou, Ngati Raukawa)

Georgina has 20 years of professional experience working with government and non‑government organisations, including in health, community, and hapu/iwi. Georgina lives in Tairawhiti and is a Justice of the Peace.

She is currently the Chairperson of the Te Whatu Ora Consumer Council, and Chairperson of the Tairawhiti Fire and Emergency Local Advisory Committee as well as serving on other groups with a whanau and community focus. Georgina is passionate about helping communities acquire the resources and support needed to better their health and wellbeing.

Dr Vivien Wei Verheijen

Dr Vivien Wei Verheijen is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors with a diverse background in governance and advisory roles across the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. She is an Independent Director of the Board of Comprehensive Care and a Lay Member of the National Standards Committee, New Zealand Law Society.

Vivien holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Policy from Auckland University of Technology. She is dedicated to advancing diversity and inclusion through robust governance practices and strategic advisory. Vivien brings a comprehensive understanding of government processes and focuses on promoting consumer perspectives and inclusion at the board table.