Introducing our new Legal Counsel
Indiana Shewen joins Te Pātaka Whaioranga as our new Legal Counsel. Indiana was drawn to work at Te Pātaka Whaioranga to contribute to achieving equitable health outcomes for Māori.
He uri a Indiana nō Te Ati awa, Ngāti Mutunga, Rāngitāne o Wairau me Ngāpuhi hoki. Ko Makitānara te ingoa whānau I te taha o tōnā Māmā. Ko Hēnare te ingoa whānau I te taha o tōnā Pāpā.
I tipu ake a Indiana ki Taranaki, ki te taha o te awa o Waitara. Kei Te Whānganui-ā-Tara ā ia inaianei, e mahi ana hei Roia ki Te Pātaaka Whaioranga.
Indiana graduated from Victoria University of Wellington in 2018 and was admitted to the bar in 2020, after completing a full-year Te Reo Māori immersion course at Te Wānanga Takiura ki Tāmaki Makaurau. Her career highlights include working with Ngāti Maru (Taranaki) on their Treaty Settlement and practising as a solicitor at the Royal Commission on Inquiry into Abuse in Care. Before joining Te Pātaka Whaioranga Indiana worked as a consultant at Tuia Group.
Indiana’s māmā, Larissa Nellie McDonald, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 12. She navigated the New Zealand health system for many years until her health declined and she passed away at the age of 42.
“I was drawn to work at Te Pātaka Whaioranga as I’m passionate about using my legal and advocacy skills to do my part in addressing the health inequities that tangata Māori face in Aotearoa,” says Indiana.
This story is part of the Rērere Kōrero
The Rērere Kōrero will keep you informed on how Te Pātaka Whaioranga – Pharmac is supporting whānau Māori to achieve their best health and wellbeing through access to medicines and medical devices.