Alana Ruakere (Taranaki, Te Atiawa) joined Tui Ora in January 2023. Prior to taking up her position as the first new Chief Executive at Tui Ora, Alana was Director of the Crown Response Unit to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State Care.
Alana has had a distinguished career in the public sector and boasts particular expertise and experience in health and Māori hauora. She has held managerial positions in operations and policy at the Ministry of Health, the Ministry for Social Development and Te Puni Kokiri, where she was the Manager for Whānau Ora Commissioning.
Joining Tui Ora has enabled Alana to return home to her turangawaewae. Alana was born, raised, educated and started her career in Taranaki. She was a tutor in mental health support at WITT polytechnic and established the specialist community based mental health service Te Rau Pani.
Outside of mahi Alana is a keen painter, poet and singer. She and husband Rob have three children and one mokopuna.