Northland nurse Whāea Marie Noa receives prestigious award for dedication to Māori health

Ngāti Hine rangatira and nurse Marie Noa, left, receives the Te Rūnanga o Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) Akenehi Hei Award from previous recipient Moe Milne.

A Northland nurse has received one of the profession's most prestigious honours for her work with Māori health.

Renowned Ngāti Hine rangatira and nurse Marie Noa has received the Te Rūnanga o Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa/NZ Nurses Organisation Akenehi Hei Award for her dedication to the health of whānau Māori in Te Tai Tokerau and around Aotearoa.

The ceremony took place in Tāmaki Makaurau, where the previous recipient Moe Milne handed the taonga over to Noa. Both Milne and Noa were joined by their whānau as well as Te Poari o Te Rūnanga o Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa members.

The award recognises Noa for her long-standing contribution to Māori health in a career that has spanned more than six decades.

Since starting as a health care assistant in Whāngarei, she has worked across District Health Board, community and iwi providers and is currently a Tamariki Ora nurse based at Ngāti Hine Health Trust.

All who spoke at the ceremony highlighted Noa's love of life and rich creativity. NZNO kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku praised Noa for her commitment to playfulness and colour, telling a story of one of her memorable presentations.

"We were at a hui for Tamariki Ora which we thought would be business as usual. Then Whāea Marie came up on stage and, rather than opening up a powerpoint, pulled out colourful scarves and began with dance,'' Nuku said.

"Her insistence on play and creativity, coupled with her significant experience and dedication to helping whānau understand their health situation in a holistic way, has made a significant impact on people's health in Te Tai Tokerau, especially for tamariki."

Nuku also spoke highly of Noa's commitment to Te Rūnanga.

"As a rangatira, she has been to every hui for years where she actively participates and shares her knowledge. She is an honorary member of Te Rūnanga ō Te Tai Tokerau, an integral part of their tuakana/teina model.

"Whāea Marie is a unique and vibrant person who has enlightened us all and we acknowledge her for all she does for Tai Tokerau and Aotearoa."