Riana Manuel

Riana brings visionary leadership and extensive experience from working in health for the past 30 years.

Prior to joining Te Pou and Blueprint, Riana was the chief executive for Te Aka Whai Ora – Māori Health Authority. A skilled strategic leader within the Māori and wider health sectors, she was the CEO for both Te Korowai Hauora o Hauraki and the Hauraki PHO. A registered nurse who still holds her practising certificate, Riana has also worked as a clinical nurse director for Waikato DHB and General Manager – Māori Health for Waikato DHB.

Rather than applying a universal approach to healthcare, Riana is deeply committed to equity and ensuring that health systems acknowledge and apply this to the way services are delivered. As a mother and grandmother, she wants to ensure intergenerational transformation for tamariki and mokopuna to come.