Our Team

Professor David Tipene-Leach, Principal Investigator

David Tipene-Leach (Ngāti Kahungunu), a public health physician, is Professor of Māori and Indigenous Research at Te Pūkenga, Hawke’s Bay Campus and Co-Director of the Te Kura I Awarua Rangahau Māori Centre.

Professor Boyd Swinburn, Principal Investigator

Boyd is Professor of Population Nutrition and Global Health at the University of Auckland and Research Professor at Te Pūkenga, Hawke’s Bay campus.

Dr Rachael Glassey, Senior Research Fellow

Rachael (Ngāti Te Atihaunui a Paparangi) completed a PhD in the area of psycho-oncology. Rachael’s research interests are health and medical research.

Raun Makirere Haerewa, Research Assistant

Raun (Ngāti Porou) has over 5 years experience working with rangatahi Māori, he is passionate about using mātauranga Māori to improve the wellbeing of Māori rangatahi.

Kirsten Harrild, Research Fellow

Kirsten is a medical statistician, with interests in public health, women’s health, and medical research.

Dr Renee Railton, Research Fellow

Renee completed her PhD in the field of experimental analysis of behaviour at the University of Waikato. She also has experience in health and clinical research.

Dr David Rees, Synergia contractor

David is the founding partner of Synergia, a research and consulting firm established in the late 1990’s.

Dr Kelly Garton, Research Fellow

Kelly completed a PhD in the international political economy of public health nutrition policy. She now does research on transitions to healthy and sustainable food systems at the University of Auckland.

Pippa McKelvie-Sebileau, Researcher

Pippa was Project Manager and founding member of Nourishing Hawke’s Bay as she completed her PhD. She is now a Research Fellow at the University of Auckland and a Researcher with Te Kura I Awarua, EIT | Te Pūkenga.

Tuakana August, School & Community Administrator

Tuakana’s many years of work with communities, spans health, social services and education. She is proudly of Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāti Porou descent.

Tomomi Bowcock, Communications Coordinator

Tomomi uses her graphic design expertise and interpersonal skills to support the research team and communicate with the public.

Ashleigh Kearns-Steed, Research Assistant

Ashleigh (Ngāpuhi), a business management graduate, applies her passion for water, health, sustainability, and Māori culture in research.

Layla Christison, Student

A third-year Bachelor of Health Science student at Waipapa Taumata Rau, Layla is passionate about cultivating healthier environments in Aotearoa through dedicated research efforts.