Chanae Ihimaera

Chanae has whakapapa to Ngāti Kuri, Ngāpuhi, and Toi, Mutalau villages of Niue which profoundly influences her work and commitment to community. Her extensive experience as a Dental Therapist in West Auckland revealed systemic inequities affecting Māori and Pasifika children, further highlighted during her redeployment to the Emergency Department during the COVID-19 pandemic. This led to her roles as Senior Advisor for Equity and Community Engagement at Manatū Hauora and Te Whatu Ora, where she championed Te Tiriti o Waitangi and equitable practices in pandemic and extreme weather responses.

Chanae's transition to academia as a senior lecturer and emerging researcher is marked by her distinct perspective, combining her practical clinical background with strategic equity advocacy. She now fosters an inclusive and culturally responsive learning environment, prioritising community voice and lived experience. Her current work involves developing whānau-centered care at Niho Ora ki Manukau (AUT's Oral Health Community Teaching Clinic in South Campus), a model informed by Te Aronui – AUT's Te Tiriti framework and the Oral Health department's strategy priorities. Chanae's commitment to social justice extends beyond the classroom, with active involvement in community engagement initiatives and advocacy for accessible healthcare. She also demonstrates her dedication to community partnerships through equity focused projects that provide oral health treatment.

Chanae's career is marked by a dedication to equity, decolonisation, and improving health outcomes for underserved communities, guided by the mentorship of inspiring leaders and a vision for Pae Ora in Aotearoa.