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.

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.

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.

Mary Schnackenberg

Mary is a lifelong blind person who has championed accessibility issues in many areas, including health and transport.  She trained as a librarian and worked for the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind for many years.

She currently has a company that provides advice on supporting the needs of people with disabilities. In her spare time, she enjoys attending live concerts and audio described performances. Mary currently lives in Auckland.

Dr Sione Vaka

Sione was born in Tonga and moved to New Zealand in the late 1990s. He is a nurse who has moved into academia and has a Ph.D. exploring the meanings of mental illness for Tongan people. Sione is currently employed as an Associate Professor at the University of Waikato.

In his spare time, he loves playing music and spending time with his community and family. Sione currently lives in Auckland. Sione is appointed as the Pasifika representative on the CAC. 

Janfrie Wakim

Janfrie is a mother of four and grandmother to 10 mokopuna; now retired from work in early childhood, secondary and tertiary education and shared ownership of community pharmacies with her late husband.

A founding member of the Child Poverty Action Group she has been active in numerous voluntary organisations over many years. In her spare time, she revels in the company of her whānau and friends, garden, books, movies and podcasts. Janfrie currently lives in Tāmaki Makaurau /Auckland.

Dr Vivien Wei Verheijen

Vivien is passionate about strengthening diversity and inclusion and supporting ethnic women's leadership and gender development. She has a PhD in Public Policy from Auckland University of Technology and holds various advisory positions across government, NGOs and other professional sectors.

She is a Director of Comprehensive Care (PHO) Ltd, a member of the Consumer Advisory Council, Te Whatu Ora Waitematā and a Lay Member of the National Standards Committee, New Zealand Law Society. Vivien is an advocate for consumer perspectives and rights.