Tobacco Control Service Appointment Announced

Tobacco Control Service Appointment Announced

4th July 2013

Mrs Zoe Martin-Hawke has been appointed to the position of Kaiwhakahaere/General Manager for the new National Maori Tobacco Leadership Service lead by Hāpai Te Hauora Tapui (Hāpai) and Action on Smoking and Health (ASH).

Lance Norman CEO of Hāpai and Ben Youdan CEO of ASH announced the appointment last week, saying Mrs Martin-Hawke stood out for her experience managing public health teams and developing Maori strategies to address health issues. “Zoe has several years’ experience in strategic community engagement and informing policy at a local, regional and national level. We couldn’t pass up on these skills”. Says Mr Norman.

The new service with Mrs Martin-Hawke at the helm aims to help achieve the national goal for the country to be smokefree by 2025 by focusing on reducing tobacco related harm inequalities for Maori throughout the motu.

Mrs Martin-Hawke will be supported in her role by Hapai staff including community leader Tunuiarangi McLean. “I have always been impressed by Mrs Martin-Hawke’s ability to connect with those in the community and her ready access to ahikaa mana whenua representatives from Ngāti Whātua ki Orakei, and Tainui as well as representatives from mātā waka. They have shared their views of support for the work that Hāpai carries out and that this support is also extended to the work that Mrs Martin-Hawke is going to be engaged in.” Says Mr Mclean.

The service is set to launch in the next three months.

ENDS

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