Lorraine Hetaraka is the Chief Nurse at the Ministry of Health, Manatū Hauora, where she leads national nursing policy, provides expert advice to government, and champions professional leadership for nurses across Aotearoa New Zealand. With a career spanning over two decades, Lorraine is widely recognised for her commitment to advancing Nursing practice and driving equitable health outcomes for all communities. Lorraine began her nursing career in 1997 as a RN in a dementia facility then secured the role as the first Māori new graduate at Tauranga Hospital. Her early experiences, shaped by her upbringing in a military family as well as witnessing health inequities within her whānau, and community inspired her lifelong dedication to improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations. Her career trajectory includes significant leadership roles: • Chief Executive of Te Arawa Whānau Ora, working with governmental, and Community agencies to support a collective of Māori providers to deliver integrated health and social services for vulnerable populations within Te Arawa. • Primary Care Nursing Leadership, including quality and safety, workforce development and implementing models care. She has extensive experience having worked at the National Hauora Coalition, ProCare Health, and Homecare Medical (now Whakarongorau), where she developed improvement programmes, delivered Education and lead innovative programmes for whānau wellbeing. • Associate Director of Nursing at Auckland District Health Board and the University of Auckland, where she championed workforce development for Māori nurses and led the Nursing Entry to Practice Programme (Primary Healthcare), Post Graduate and undergraduate support programmes and rangatahi-focused health career programmes. Lorraine holds a Master’s degree with first-class honours from the University of Auckland. Her thesis, He Ope Awhi, explored best practices for recruiting Māori new graduate nurses, leading to a successful pilot that saw the highest-ever employment of Māori graduates in primary care in Counties Manukau. Throughout her career, Lorraine has demonstrated expertise in strategic leadership, policy, governance, and workforce planning. She is committed to supporting and empowering nursing leadership, with a focus on ensuring equitable, culturally safe care for all New Zealanders. Lorraine is affiliated with Ngāti Kahu, Tapuika, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāiterangi, and Ngāti Ranginui. Her vision is to empower nurses to lead transformative action towards a healthier, more equitable future for Aotearoa New Zealand.

As the Commonwealth Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Alison leads, influences, and collaborates in the development and implementation of policy and programs relating to nursing and midwifery, health and aged care systems, and workforce. Alison has been a Registered Nurse for more than 40 years, she has a Critical Care Nursing Certificate, a Bachelor Degree in Education, and a Master of Business Administration. Alison has held senior executive roles in government and health services within Victoria including the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Director of Quality, Safety and Patient Experience and Director of Health Emergency Management. She has received a number of awards including a Public Service Medal in June 2021 for outstanding public service to driving the Government's national health response priorities during the COVID-19 pandemic, a National Emergency Medal in recognition of service following the 2009 Victorian Bushfires and, in 2021, a Humanitarian Overseas Medal.