RANZCP welcomes Ms Moe Milne as Kaumātua

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) extends a warm welcome to Ms Moe Milne as recently appointed Kaumātua.

Chair of the RANZCP’s New Zealand National Committee, Tu Te Akaaka Roa, Dr Mark Lawrence said: ‘We look forward to Ms Milne providing additional support in te ao Māori alongside the organisation’s existing Kaumātua, Mr Wi Keelan.’

‘As a member of both Tu Te Akaaka Roa and Te Kaunihera, our Māori Health Committee, Moe’s mahi will help guide the RANZCP’s efforts to reduce the current health inequities experienced by Māori in Aotearoa and to help improve Māori recruitment into the psychiatry workforce.’

‘Ms Milne will also undertake an invaluable role in offering pastoral care to Māori trainees and consultants who can face unique barriers throughout their education and practise,’ said Dr Lawrence.

Dr Claire Paterson, Chair of Te Kaunihera, accorded the new Kaumātua the highest respect and emphasised the depth of Moe’s experience.

‘Whaea Moe is infinitely knowledgeable in Māori health, clinical experience, education, and research. She is fluent in te reo Māori and has been an inspirational and prominent leader of Māori development and Māori mental health for many years, well-known for speaking at the noho marae and writing papers on cultural competence, for teaching at wānanga, and for her takarangi training.’

‘Moe has already made a significant contribution to the RANZCP’s mahi and, not surprisingly, was awarded the RANZCP’s Mark Sheldon prize in 2016 in recognition of her noteworthy contributions to indigenous mental health in New Zealand.’

‘The RANZCP will benefit greatly from Moe Milne’s experience, wisdom, and leadership. Ngā mihi maioha ki a koe, e te whaea, e te rangatira.’

Ms Milne was excited that the RANZCP and psychiatrists see the value of training in te ao Māori, te reo, and tikanga as a pathway to cultural competency.

‘With my, and Wi’s, guidance, the RANZCP are taking real steps to enhance the lives of Māori and further embed our kāmehameha Māoritanga in their mahi, to make it seamless,’ said Ms Milne.

For all expert mental health information visit Your Health in Mind, the RANZCP’s consumer health information website.

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