ALAC appoints Pouarahi Maori - Maori Manager

Māori health leader Matiu Julian (Nga Ruahine, Te Atihaunui-a-Paparangi, Ngati Tu Mango) has been appointed to the national position of Pouarahi Māori, or Māori Manager, at the Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand (ALAC).

Mr Julian has been working for the last six years in a senior role with Tui Ora – a Māori development organisation within the health and social service sector in Taranaki – and has extensive experience working collaboratively with communities and service providers as well as with national and local government agencies.

He was a 2010 recipient of a Te Apa Mareikura Award for demonstrated competencies in community health, strong connections to the community, proven leadership ability, effective community networks and academic performance that contributes to future Māori health gains.

ALAC Manager Strategic Operations, Tuari Potiki, says the Pouarahi Māori, or Māori Manager, leads the organisation’s work to reduce alcohol-related harm among Māori.

“We are a small organisation with a big task – Māori are a major focus for ALAC because they suffer disproportionately from alcohol-related harm,” says Mr Potiki. “Matiu has a wide range of skills, experience, networks and relationships which will be a significant asset in this important role.”

Speaking at a Waiariki Institute of Technology bicultural journalism reunion in Rotorua today (Saturday July 2), Matiu Julian says he is excited by the opportunity to change the way people drink by trying to change the drinking culture.

“ALAC recognises that this task is not something we can do alone,” Mr Julian says. “We are acutely aware that to really make a difference, we must team up with whānau, hapü, iwi and Māori as well as with Māori service providers, local and central government and the non-government sector. I look forward to the challenges ahead.”

Matiu Julian replaces Gilbert Taurua who has taken up a position as the new Director of Māori Health at the Whanganui District Health Board.

ALAC is an autonomous Crown entity charged by legislation with reducing alcohol-related harm. For more information, go to www.alac.org.nz.

For further information or comment, contact ALAC Corporate Communications Manager Lynne Walsh on 021 369 081.