Chief Executive Officer, Mary Potter Hospice, Wellington, New Zealand.

Ria has held a number of senior or management positions in the public sector across a range of agencies: Maori Affairs, Internal Affairs, Te Puni Kokiri, Youth Affairs, Women’s Affairs, and the Ministry of Health. Ria held the position of Deputy Director-General, Maori Health with the Ministry of Health for nine years from 1996 – 2006.

Ria took up her appointment with Mary Potter Hospice in July 2006.  She brought with her extensive experience in dealing with District Health Boards and the health sector generally, and strong senior management experience in the public sector.  Ria has a history of working within a community development approach (especially with Maori communities), and a commitment and interest in seeing the delivery of holistic, high quality, health services.Applied Master of Arts in Social Work, and a Master of Business Administration, all from Victoria University. Ria is of Te Arawa descent (Ngati Pikiao and Ngati Whakaue)

end of life, family carers, hospice,Ma¯ori, New Zealand, palliative care.