Our Vision
-
To build resilient children and young people today.
-
Kaumatuaship supports and guides Health Connections cultural competence and responsiveness.
-
Better outcomes are what we about.
Our Purpose
To deliver child and youth specialty enhanced primary care services in non-health environments including education placements, Oranga Tamariki placements and temporary home placements.
Our Values
Hope Family Openness Purpose Humour Health
Our Team

Pat Mitchell, CEO
My nursing background has lent itself to serving children, young people, their families and communities for over 20 years and now as CEO of Health Connections – it feels like that career path was always to be destined to arrive here.
Working differently, knowing what we do today may need to change tomorrow is why my role as CEO is challenging, exciting, and keeps Health Connections at the forefront of delivering better outcomes for children and young people.
My passion for outcomes, exploring alternatives to the traditional and striving for change makes life interesting. In an ever changing healthcare landscape it is key for services to know that change is fundamental part of health care delivery and having the agility and flexibility to respond to what is needed is the driving force behind Health Connections and what I lead on.
I believe nurses are leaders, nurses are brave, nurses seek opportunities and achieve. I’m a proud nurse.

Maria Kekus, Clinical Director

Carol Scholes, Board Chair

Rawiri Wharemate, Kaumatua

Jess
Youth Health Specialist
Tēnā koutou katoa. Ko Jessica ahau.
Jess graduated top of her class from Auckland University Nursing school in 2010 and has worked in primary health care for 9 years, in a General Practice setting. She is in her third year as a Nurse Practitioner in primary health and was one of the youngest in New Zealand to achieve Nurse Practitioner status in 2016. She was awarded Young Nurse of the Year from the New Zealand Nurses Organisation 2017. As the Youth Health Specialist at Health Connections Jess provides the clinical leadership to ensure all rangatahi have access to health often in non-health settings like schools and residential settings. Jess is an Intern Director for Health Connections building her governance skills to further improve outcomes for children and young people. She has spent time as an academic mentor within Massey Universities Nurse Practitioner Training Programme. Her passions within work include mental health, youth health and improving sexual health access and to this end she has completed the Mental Health Credentialing program 2017 and worked extensively in the area of youth health. Outside of work she enjoys returning home to Tauranga to spend time with whānau, her husband and dog, and being at the beach.

Erin
Practice Manager
A Maori descendant of Ngati Kahungunu, Erin is the Practice Manager for Health Connections working to improve the outcomes of rangatahi in the Auckland area.
Born and raised in South Auckland, Erin was a young mother of three children. It was always Erin’s ambition to demonstrate good qualities and work ethics for her children to adopt in their adult lives.
Beginning her career as a medical receptionist in 2000, Erin quickly progressed to Practice Manager in 2001 for a combined GP and A&M clinic. Other than 12 months living in Christchurch, Erin worked predominantly in South Auckland, undertaking various practice coordinator roles. Working with such diverse communities, Erin is passionate about acknowledging and caring for the different cultures she encounters.
Commencing the role with Health Connections as their very first Practice Manager in February 2019, Erin provides support to clinical & administration staff, coordinating the day-to-day operations and service delivery for clients and their stakeholders. Developing and maintaining good working relationships is paramount to her role. Erin is a skilled problem solver and enjoys thinking innovatively; giving a different perspective with an administrative lens when developing processes and guidelines with the clinical team.
Outside of work, Erin balances a busy whanau life filled with the love and support of her partner, three children and two beautiful mokopuna.

Ferin
Registered Nurse
“Bula! Born and raised in Fiji, I migrated to New Zealand in 2004. I completed my Bachelor of Nursing at MIT where I graduated in 2012.
My passion is primary care in youth health and quality improvement. I love the challenge of organising specific clinics for our vulnerable young people in the community.
Prior to Health Connections, I worked at Kids First in the Medical, Surgical and Neonatal Intensive Care wards for 6 years as a RN and the Shift Coordinator.
My interests outside of work is managing a youth soccer team and spending quality time with my husband and child.

Renee
Registered Nurse

Sailau
Registered Nurse

Angela
Registered Nurse
My name is Angela Moananu. I am full Samoan but have grown up in South Auckland my whole life. I have been nursing for 4 years and have found a special interest in young people, and Maori/Pacific health. My goal for healthcare in NZ is for it to understand that not everyone has the same opportunity to access healthcare, and that not everyone views health the same way. My goal as a nurse is to be able to breakdown barriers that hold people back from the quality of healthcare they deserve.

Stacey Porter
Cultural Advisor
Stacey descends from Ngai Takoto, Ngāti Kahu and Ngāpuhi in the far north, and Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Maru on the east coast. Stacey has a background in kaupapa māori models and extensive experience in Māori mental health and workforce development, Māori policy, Māori education and community legal needs.
With the support of our Kaumātua, Stacey brings passion for structure and critical analysis of indigenous needs and western concepts to ensure the Health Connections team can develop sustainable, authentic best practices that will benefit the needs of mokopuna. Mauri ora!

Chrissie
Clinical Administrator
Hi my name is Chrissie and I have been part of the Health Connections team for almost two years. While most of my day-to-day role is behind the scenes, supporting our clinical staff, I am committed to bringing all of my skills to the team effort to ensure the young people within our care achieve the best possible outcomes.
Outside of my role at Health Connections I enjoy spending time with my family, developing my culinary skills and encouraging those around me to live a life of purpose, integrity and passion.
