The Wairoa PHO is a small organisation with six staff members and has its offices in the old Post Office building, on the corner of Locke Street and Queen Street.

PHO staff as at 1 April 2009:

Margie Sullivan		Sue Thompson (Primary Mental Health Coordinator & Smoke Free Coordinator)	E nga mana, e nga reo, e nga karangatanga maha, Tena Koutou, Tena Koutou, Tena Tatou Katoa Ko Whakapunake raua ko Puketapu nga Maunga Ko Wairoa Hopupu Honengenenge Matangirau raua ko Te Arai nga Awa Ko Hinemihi raua ko Ohako nga Marae Ko Ngati Puku te Hapu Ko Ngati Kahungunu raua ko Rongowhakaata nga Iwi Ko Takitimu raua ko Horouta nga Waka Ko Sue Thompson toku Ingoa Nga mihi mahana ki a koutou My name is Sue Thompson and originally I was employed by the Wairoa Primary Health Care Organisation as the Health Promoter. Recently I have been offered a new role and I now have a dual role, .6 Smoke Free Coordinator, .4 Primary Mental Service Health Coordinator. My core role focuses upon auahi kore (smokefree) by promoting a social and physical environment which improves and protects people's health by reducing the harm from tobacco use and exposure to environmental smoke in the Wairoa district particulary as it applies to young women, youth, hapu women and Maori. I have a background in social work and have previously worked in the health sector. I provide supervision for a work colleague who is currently undertaking further study. I have tohu for the following, Certificate in Social Services, Certificate in Health Promotion, Diploma in Social Work, Bachelor of Social Work: Biculturalism in Practice. My passion for my mahi is encapsulated in the following slide of a powerpoint presentation, "Ma uri ora, for the wellbeing of future generations" Pohatu, TW & HR (3 April 2009). Wiwi Nati - Localised Sovereignty. New Zealand:
Vanessa Rauwhero (Healthy Promotions Coordinator/SIA Coordinator)	He maungaronga ki te whenua me te whakaaropai ki nga taangata katoa paimarire! Ko Tainui te Waka Ko Waikato me manuka nga awa Ko Taupiri me Maungakiekie nga Maunga Ko Waikato me Te Waiohua nga Iwi Ko Te Aakitai te Hapu Ko Vanessa Rauwhero ahau Tena Koutou Katoa My name is Vanessa Rauwhero and I am currently employed by the Wairoa PHO. I have been an employee of the PHO since 2006, with my initial role as the Healthy Eating Healthy Action (HEHA) Project Coordinator and part time SIA Projects Coordinator. In addition to this, in the near future I plan to start working as a Youth Health Advocate with students enrolled at Wairoa College. Working for the Wairoa PHO is my first experience of working in the health sector. Previous work experience has mainly included, customer services. I hold a National Diploma in Social Work and a National Certificate in Health Promotion. I am also a current full time student with Te Wananga O Aotearoa, training to complete a Bachelor of Social Work - Biculturalism in Practice in 2010.	Fiona Gray (Administrator)	Fiona was born and raised in Wairoa which is both beautiful and warm in the summer with lots of activities around the river, lake and bush environment. Fiona's family is very important to her and her own children, now grown have enjoyed being a part of this close knit community. Fiona has previously worked as a real estate agent for 15 years but wanted to explore other career options and the opportunity to work at the PHO has been both inspirational and interesting. Her main role is as assistant to the Manager, accounts, wages clerk and Office Administrator. She is a valued member of our team and is always available to assist with any project. Fiona likes to achieve and learn and is not afraid of hard work; she likes working with and helping people. Her interests include family and friends, fishing and spending time at Lake Waikaremoana. Fiona has recently studied and achieved a Certificate in Hauora.
Rae Barrett (Clinical Facilitator)	I spent most of my life in Hutt Valley, Wellington and moved to Hastings in 1999. I mainly worked in law offices and have a Certificate as a Legal Executive. I have also worked as a receptionist in a very busy medical centre in Hastings and found I preferred working in this area of work rather than law. It allowed me to have contact with the public and be involved in health care which I enjoy. I was fortunate to find employment with Wairoa PHO in October 2008 which gave me the opportunity to advance within the health sector. My role is a new position for the PHO and is still evolving. I mainly liase between our four GP practices and the PHO. Among other things I assist with queries, sofware updates and projects/programmes contracted with Hawkes Bay DHB especially involving data collection, statistics and reporting. We are in the process of setting up a diabetes programme in Wairoa and hoping to get further training for our providers to be able to have our own diabetes service. My work is interesting and challenging. I enjoy interacting with various people on many different levels. I have recently acquired a Certificate in Hauora which has given me a clearer understanding of Maori culture and Te Reo Maori.	Susan Crarer (Receptionist)	My name is Susan Crarer and I have recently become a team member here at the Wairoa PHO. I have returned home to Wairoa, having been away for 20 years. It is good to be back home and I feel privileged working for an organisation such as this, which strongly focuses on helping our people here in the Wairoa district. During my earlier years I worked in my chosen career as an enroled nurse in Wairoa Hospital also working in the community providing nursing care and homehelp and later as a nurse in Napier Hospital. Before returning to Wairoa I was working in Palmerston North in the field of nursing and diversional therapy with the elderly residing in resthomes. More recently I have been working as a Beauty Therapist, specialising in electrology and massage therapy. My new role at the Wairoa PHO has expanded my knowledge in a different direction as a receptionist in an office environment, but still allows me to interact with the public which I enjoy.