Central Cancer Network Members

Pania Ruakere (DHB) Tairawhiti

Pania is of Taranaki Tuturu and Cook Islands descent. She began her career in public health as a health promoter and moved into contract management and service development for Maori Development Organisation Tui Ora Ltd in Taranaki. After moving to Tairawhiti in 2004, she managed the restructuring of mental health provider Te Kupenga Net Trust and carried out consultancy work. Her current role in Tairawhiti DHB extends her public health experience into a funding and planning role for population health. She has a BA with Honours, majoring in Politics (International Relations) from Victoria University. Some of her interests include waka ama, fitness training and travel.

Bronwen Laurenson (Cancer Society)

Bronwen has held a number of senior management positions across government agencies which have included Director of Human Resources for the Ministry of Agriculture, Director of Administration, Wellington Hospital and currently, Divisional Manager for the Cancer Society of New Zealand Central Districts Division. She studied at London University where she received her BSc. Economics (Hons.). In her pastime Bronwen enjoys gardening, music, tramping and horse riding.

Denise Robbins (Consumer) Horowhenua/MidCentral

Denise is a survivor of bowel cancer and a melanoma and has published a book called Cancer and How to Live With It. She has retired from 33 years in information technology and now facilitates “Living With Cancer” and associated support programmes in the Kapiti and Horowhenua regions. As chairperson of CancerVOICES New Zealand, she has initiated and is working on two projects. One, in conjunction with the Cancer Society, will establish training for cancer consumer representatives. The second, in conjunction with Massey University, is in the planning stage of research into cancer survivorship.

Litea Meo-Sewabu (Pacific) MidCentral

Litea has worked in public health and more specifically health promotion for the last 12 years in Fiji and the Pacific islands. Her work has involved both qualitative and quantitative research and has included studying the prevalence rate of smoking in Fiji. This research formed the basis of the Tobacco Bill or the Anti-smoking Bill which was passed in Fiji in 1998. She has also managed numerous public awareness campaigns at Fiji’s National Centre for Health Promotion campaigns, including anti- smoking and HIV/AIDS projects. She has also been involved in consultancy with several United Nations agencies and was a lecturer in health promotion and public health at the Fiji School of Medicine before moving to New Zealand. Litea received her Masters in Public Health from Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana and a Bachelor of Science from Lambuth University, Jackson, Tennessee. She currently works at Massey University as the Pacific Learning Consultant for the Student Learning Centre and is the co-author of the ‘Niu Health Plan’, which is the Health Plan for Pacific People in the Manawatu region.

Dr Simon Snook (GP) Wairarapa

Simon is currently employed as the GP Liaison at Wairarapa DHB and is a Wairapapa PHO Board member. His role enables him to work at a number of levels of the organisation which focuses on the primary/secondary interface and funder/provider arms of the DHB. As well as working for the DHB, Simon is a practising clinician in both general practice and sexual medicine. Simon was awarded his MBChB at the University of Birmingham. He is also a prize winning member of the Royal College of General Practitioners in the United Kingdopm and a fellow of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners. He is a member of the British Society of Sexual Medicine and holds diplomas in family planning, obstetrics and gynaecology.

Kevin Nielsen (Palliative care/hospice) Taranaki

Kevin worked in the newspaper industry for a number of years becoming General Manager for Taranaki Newspapers Ltd. In the last five years Kevin has been Chief Executive of Hospice Taranaki. This role has presented him with many challenges such as the development of the hospice’s inpatient unit and achievement of quality health accreditation in 2006. He has naturally developed a passion for delivering quality palliative care for a growing number of consumers.

Dr Barry Mahon (Cancer Surgeon) Wellington

Barry is employed by Capital & Coast District Health Board as a Cardiothoracic Surgeon and performs the majority of thoracic cases. He is also responsible for setting up the Lung Cancer Multi Disciplinary Team which provides a forum for joint decision-making in relation to patients’ care at Capital & Coast. Barry holds various board appointments such as Chairman of Division of Surgery at Capital & Coast and is a member of the Medical Reference Group, Surgical Leaders Committee, Theatre Management Team and Clinical Services Project Committee.

Kathryn McKeefry (Regional Cancer Treatment) Wellington

Kathryn has worked in the health sector for more than 25 years, first as a practitioner and more recently as a manager. As manager of the Blood and Cancer Service at Capital & Coast District Health Board her position has given her the opportunity to develop services within hospital and health services. This role has also allowed her to work with a broad range of stakeholders across the cancer continuum developing strong relationships and ultimately achieving optimal patient care. Kathryn’s background is in midwifery. She also has a Master of Business Studies from Massey University.

Dianne Keip (Palliative Care/PHOs) Hawkes Bay

Dianne’s background is in nursing with 14 years’ experience in palliative care. Her experience has spanned a variety of roles from Community Nurse Specialist, Team Leader to her current role which involves implementing the New Zealand Palliative Care Strategy in the Hawke’s Bay and Chatham Islands. Dianne has been instrumental in writing the local Cancer Services Plan with the support of a Cancer Leadership Team. This team is now the Hawke’s Bay DHB Cancer Network Group and Dianne is the group’s Acting Chair. This role involves monitoring implementation of the plan’s recommendations, facilitating meetings and providing project support to the group. Dianne is in the final stages of completing her Master of Nursing degree.