Te Whatu Ora National Director Commissioning, Abbe Anderson announced the four appointments who will be responsible for providing rangatiratanga leadership to multiple locally based Commissioning teams to support local communities and whānau in the pursuit of Pae Ora.

Among Chiquita, the other appointments include:

• Northern Regional Wayfinder - Danny Wu (interim)
• Te Manawa Taki Regional Wayfinder - Nicola Ehau
• Central Regional Wayfinder - Tricia Keelan

Chiquita has held a variety of nursing leadership roles and has been Chief Executive of MidCentral Primary Health Organisation, THINK Hauora, since 2013. She is currently seconded to Te Whatu Ora on a part-time basis as Co-Director Primary, Community and Rural Early Actions and will be stepping into the Regional Wayfinder role from February 2023.

Chiquita is passionate about whānau and community-led solutions and has strongly advocated a pro-equity approach to health service delivery. She has been influential at a governance level across several National organisations, including General Practice New Zealand (GPNZ), Collaborative Aotearoa, and Health Quality and Safety Patient Experience Survey Governance Group.

“I’m looking forward to working in partnership with iwi, people, whānau, communities, and our primary and community partners to achieve Pae Ora in my new role. I’m very passionate about advancing the locality approach in partnership with the Iwi Māori Partnership Boards while being relentless about achieving equity of outcomes for priority populations,” Chiquita says.

“While bittersweet to be leaving my whānau at THINK Hauora, I know the future is bright for our teams as we continue to work towards striving for equitable health outcomes across our rohe.”

While extremely saddened to be losing the high performing CE, THINK Hauora Board Chair, Dr Bruce Stewart congratulated Chiquita on her appointment to the National health stage.

“With Chiquita’s immense passion, intelligence and work ethic, THINK Hauora has grown and developed into a high performing team supporting our district Primary and Community services,” says Bruce.

“She has strong sector knowledge and the ability to build positive relationships and she holds enormous respect across all areas of the Health and Disability sector in Midcentral and beyond.

We have no doubt she will take this considerable skill set forward for the betterment of the localities of Te Waipounamu.”

“Chiquita has built up a talented and dedicated team and together they have put THINK Hauora in a well-placed position to meet the challenges of the current health reforms and the Post PHO era. The THINK Hauora Trust Board is working quickly to ensure that ongoing dynamic leadership continues under new stewardship.”

Chiquita’s last day with THINK Hauora will be Friday 10 February 2023 and she will commence her new role on Monday 13 February 2023.