Samantha Feeney
Director MHWDU
Professional Practice Fellow
Kairuruku Ritenga Utua
Ko whangatauatea tōku maunga
Ko Karerekura tōku moana
Ko Ngātokimatawhaorua tōku waka
Ko Te Rarawa tōku iwi
Ko Ngāti Moroki tōku hapū
Ko Samantha Feeney tōku ingoa
Sam is a descendant from Te Tai Tokerau and has a background in Education, Teaching and Learning, and Sport and Exercise Science. Sam is very passionate about education, youth empowerment and Māori development. Sam enjoys working as part of an amazing team dedicated towards supporting Māori student success and Māori health workforce development.
Sam is the director and manager of the MHWDU team and supports the wider team across MHWDU programmes. Sam is committed to generating more equitable outcomes for Māori and students from lower socioeconomic communities in tertiary health science study and transforming the health workforce in Aotearoa.
Email samantha.feeney@otago.ac.nz
Ana Rangi
Professional Practice Fellow
Kairuruku Ritenga Utua
Ana (Ngāti Porou, Whakatōhea, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Koata) manages the Socioeconomic Equity Project (EQ) within Health Sciences.
She spent 10 years as Divisional Kaiārahi Māori in Humanities and her professional background is in Māori development, youth transition and international student teaching and support.
Ana joined the Kōhatu team in 2019 and loves working with diverse students to support their aspirations towards health careers and making positive change in their communities.
Email ana.rangi@otago.ac.nz
Dr Griffin Leonard
Professional Practice Fellow
Kairuruku Ritenga Utua
Griffin (Te Arawa, Ngatī Rangitāne) grew up in Dunedin and completed his PhD in peace and conflict studies at the University of Otago. Following his studies, he worked as a researcher, largely at Otago Polytechnic. His work with the Polytechnic focused on student development, alumni workplace transition, as well as student and staff wellbeing. He has also worked in administrative roles within the University.
Griffin is excited to contribute to MHWDU's kaupapa and to assist tauira Māori in fulfilling their aspirations. His mahi is primarily focused on the Tū Tauira Hauora programme, while also contributing to MHWDU's other programmes.
Email griffin.leonard@otago.ac.nz
Email maori.hpp@otago.ac.nz
Ange Spears
Professional Practice Fellow
Kairuruku Ritenga Utua
Ange is from Dunedin and completed her BEd DipTchg at Otago, and then taught in a local primary school before heading overseas.
Working internationally inspired her to work with diverse groups of students. Ange values the contribution of wraparound support to enhance the student experience and improve academic outcomes.
Ange has returned to Kōhatu after experience as a Deputy Warden in a residential college, and Team Leader of Student Support at Pathway. She is happy to be back supporting students to have an equitable opportunity to apply for health professional programmes and become health professionals representing our diverse communities.
Email ange.spears@otago.ac.nz
Email eq.project@otago.ac.nz
Cherokee Walters
Professional Practice Fellow
Kairuruku Ritenga Utua
Cherokee (Ngāti Te Arawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) grew up in Te Puke and Taupō but has made home in Ōtepoti after completing her PGDipSc majoring in Physiology.
After her studies, Cherokee worked at AbacusBio Limited, where she also led an internship programme, and recently worked as part of the HR Support Hub at Dunedin Hospital. Amongst all the experience she gained in these roles, she has kept a passion for supporting students and young adults to see their own potential.
Cherokee's mahi at Kōhatu focuses on the Tū Tauira Hauora programme to assist tauira Māori through their university journeys. She hopes to bring encouragement to tauira and strengthen the mana of MHWDU.
Email cherokee.walters@otago.ac.nz
Sophie Graham
Kaiārahi, Health Sciences Māori Student Co‑ordinator
Sophie is of Ngāi Te Rangi descent and grew up in Ōtepoti. She completed a BA majoring in Psychology at the University of Otago and has worked as a research assistant in the Department of Psychology and Department of Psychological Medicine. She has several years of experience in mental health and community support mahi and was a student advocate at OUSA Student Support in 2018–2019.
Sophie is driven by a desire to see more holistic healthcare systems that better represent Māori. She is excited to be working towards this in her role as Kaiārahi supporting tauira Māori in Te Whakapuāwai, a programme of support for Māori students in HSFY.
Email sophie.graham@otago.ac.nz
Email mhsfy@otago.ac.nz
Talei Anderson
Administrator
Talei is of Te Arawa and Tainui descent. Talei started in the Health Sciences Divisional Office and moved to Kōhatu and the MHWDU in 2019. She brings a wealth of administrative knowledge from her previous positions outside of the university. She is excited to be part of a dynamic team supporting student achievement.
Tel +64 3 479 4878
Email talei.anderson@otago.ac.nz