Joseph Tyro - Helping to improve health outcomes for Māori
Joseph Tyro is the Principal Advisor Workforce for Hauora Māori Services Directorate for Health New Zealand. A national role that requires Joseph to work with people from all around Aotearoa. The following story/interview provides insight into how this community-minded rangatira transitioned from a young man to the leader he is today.
We hope this story inspires more rangatahi to consider a path similar to Joseph's.
Whakapapa
Joseph’s whakapapa is Ngāi Tahu, Te Ati Haunui-A-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Rangi, Ngāti Tuwharetoa
The Early Years Primary and Secondary School
In his early years, Joseph believes he was very fortunate to have been raised in a tight-knit working-class community based in Lyttelton. He lived close to his papatipu marae Rāpaki.
Joseph attended St Ignatius and Lyttelton Main primary Schools, then moving to Sacred Heart and Catholic Cathedral College.
”Unfortunately, I did not do very well at school, failing everything and leaving without any formal qualifications. I only enjoyed playing sports, getting up to no good, eating lunch, chasing girls, and hanging out with my mates. .”
“Although I didn’t apply myself at school, I was lucky enough to be surrounded and continually supported by my whanau, friends, hapū, and a tough working-class community. In my teenage years, I had many close friends and family pass away, which drove my desire and passion to help make a difference in my community.”
“As a 16-year-old without a clear plan or direction in life, I committed myself to become more active and serve my community. Firstly, it was as a youth worker helping run school holiday programs and then getting involved in local politics as a member of the Lyttleton Youth Council, which was connected to Banks Peninsula District Council. I am proud that I am still involved in youth work in my community as a volunteer and a Trustee for Mānawa Kāwhiu (www.manawa-kawhiu.co.nz). Another great memory was when I was a DJ with a couple of my childhood mates, and we had a radio show called Chocolate F,” Joseph explains.
Sports, Sports and more Sports…
“I was always active as a young person, and sports usually took up most of my time. In my teenage years, when I was around 15, I used to play Rugby League for my School (Wednesdays), Linwood Keas (Sundays) and on Saturdays, I played rugby for Sydenham (under 15s) in the morning and Lyttleton (under 18s) in the afternoon. Later in the year, I played in the 1st 15 for my school. Every other day I was playing touch with my mates, and training with our seniors the Lyttleton Sharks Rugby League and Lyttleton Rugby seniors. When I was nineteen, I was lucky enough to live and play rugby in San Diego, America, which opened my eyes to the world.” - explains Joseph
How would you describe yourself during these early years?’
“I was reserved and shy during these years, still trying to find my place in the world. I was fortunate to have great whanau support, friends, role models, and a community to support me on my journey. During this time, I made a lot of mistakes and bad decisions that I regret. I used to hate myself and have poor self-esteem, but I had to recreate my life step by step and day by day and be totally accountable and conscious of every decision I made.”
“I was really reserved and shy during these years, still trying to find my place in the world. I was fortunate to have great whānau support, friends, role models and community to support me on my journey. During this time, I made many mistakes and bad decisions, which I regret. I used to hate myself and had poor self-esteem and a terrible attitude. I was fortunate to gain some insight to start a journey to recreate myself, step by step and day by day. To be independent, accountable and conscious of every decision I make.” - Joseph
Tertiary Education
Joseph attended the University of Canterbury and completed a Bachelor of Arts Māori and Sociology and a Master of Social Work. He also attended Auckland University of Technology, completing postgraduate qualifications in health.
”University was a very challenging experience; I had to learn on the fly about academic writing as I didn’t have a good base from failing school. For two years I was a full-time student completing my Masters while having 2x fulltime jobs as a Youth Worker (evenings) at Lyttelton Youth Centre and working night Shift at NGO Crisis Respite Facility.” - Joseph
What did your career path look like?
“Since I was 18, I have worked in a variety of roles in the health and social services sectors in Government and NGO roles. This includes Oranga Tamariki, Te Poutama Arahi Rangatahi, Emerge Aotearoa, Stepping-Stones Trust, Kakakura Health Services, IHC, Lyttelton Youth Centre, Halswell Residential College and Barnados. I met and was supported by so many amazing staff and people who helped me grow to be more confident in myself. I learnt on the job and through all the amazing connections and relationships I developed.
Later in my professional career, I worked in Hauora Māori, Clinical Social Work, Social Work Specialist, Family Protection Specialist and Management roles at Canterbury District Health Board for ten years. I then moved to the tertiary education sector, lecturing in Social Work before moving into senior leadership and executive leadership positions.”- Explains Joseph.
What do you do outside of work? What keeps you balanced?
Joseph has a very active life outside of work, and I admire what he does and how he helps others. Here are just some of the activities he is involved with.
“Outside of work, I am fortunate to be involved in a number of international, national, regional and community governance roles that all keep me very busy. These include Te Mātāpuna Health Limited, New Zealand Decentralised Clinical Trials (Co-Chair), Aotearoa New Zealand Social Workers Association, Purapura Whetu Kaupapa Māori Health and Social Services, Westbridge and Halswell Residential College (Deputy Chair), Presbyterian Support, STOP, Ngā Pou Mana - Tangata Whenua Allied Health Association, Waitaha Māori Rugby, Mānawa Kāwhiu, Reconnect Family Services Trust (Auckland), Whaka Ora Community Advisory Group, Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, Australian Gastro-Intestinal Trials Group, Whakatuputupu New Dunedin Hospital, Canterbury Men’s Center and Hohepa. Governance and being a director are journeys that I am currently on, and it has been such an honour and privilege to be involved with all these organisations.
I have also been fortunate to be involved in New Zealand Māori Rugby as a kaitiaki for our Whatukura and Mareikura under 18 national team/camps and also the Waitaha Canterbury Māori senior team. I am a founding trustee for Manawa Kawhiu, a hub for community programmes and initiatives in our community. I was fortunate to have been a coach, manager, player, pou tikaka, Hauora pou and club captain for manty teams within Lyttelton Rugby club.
I have recently stopped coaching/managing community rugby teams, to focus my own children’s sports, as prioritising my time is important. I also mentor 1st and 2nd year Māori students at University of Canterbury.
I enjoy facilitating Hauora events and initiatives as Hauora portfolio lead at my marae.” - Joseph tells us.
Joseph’s current mahi
Joseph is the Principal Advisor Workforce for Hauora Māori Services Directorate for Health New Zealand.
This role requires Joseph to provide high-quality advice and input to advance the Directorate’s suite of work programmes. This work includes supporting the key Ministerial and governance relationships in Māori health. A strong focus of these roles is on engaging with hapū, iwi and hāpori Māori from around Aotearoa.
Joseph then explains the extra mahi he puts in…
“My other mahi (this is voluntary) I am the mandated Hauora lead for my hapu Ngāti Wheke. I have also been involved in setting up a health company Te Mataapuna as a collective that includes four other local hapu.”
“I am also on the Project Steering Group for Whakatuputupu – The new Dunedin Hospital, the largest health infrastructure project in New Zealand.” - Joseph.
Who or what inspires you?
“Many people inspired me to pursue a career in the health and community sector: my grandmother Mekura Tuatini-Taiaroa and Hori Briggs (Tau). One major event was when I lived with my grandmother for a number of years, supporting her when she was unwell with cancer. Her role as a kaumatua ay CDHB in cancer prevention, with her office at Hillmorton Hospital. After she passed away, I decided to go and work at Hillmorton, as I knew her wairua would take care of me.”
“My passion and energy to honour my grandmother in this space, remains my constant drive and motivation. “ - Joseph
What is it that you like about the Mahi you do?
“I love all the jobs and spaces I am involved in, and I am privileged and honoured to be in so many diverse spaces, especially when you have such a passion for them all. Since I was raised close to my grandparents, one of the highlights of my week is helping facilitate alongside my mum a kaumatua strength and balance program, me Taurite Tu, for our Ngāti Wheke and neighbouring hapu kaumatua.” - Joseph
How do you describe yourself, as of today.
“I would describe myself as a busy, hardworking, and efficient person who is so fortunate to be surrounded by so many great people, friends, family, and community who all make me better and keep me accountable.”
“I always remind myself to remain humble with a growth mindset and always continue to keep learning. I am extremely reflective in my thinking and processing, whilst grounded on my tupuna who are at the front of my mind, and I am not scared to run it straight and give it a crack.”
“No different to how I played league, run it straight and smash people (I was a one trick pony unfortunately lol). I was also fortunate to have good mentors and coaches around me such as, being mentored by CEO coach Dr Paslowsky, who is a renowned international executive leader. “ - Joseph tells me
What do you regard as your biggest achievements to date?
“I do not know what the future has in store for me, but I will continue to be guided wherever my tupuna takes me. I feel at peace with myself in that I have honoured my grandmother, served my community and hapū as best I could, and I have achieved all my goals, dreams and aspirations. However, I also have a responsibility and energy to continue to serve and share whatever gifts and experiences I may have with others where it may provide value. I am lucky to have a ‘korowai atawhai’ of amazing whānau and friends around me, that guide and support me but also keep me grounded and humble.” - Joseph
With all you have already achieved, where to next?
“I do not know what the future has in store for me, but I will continue to be guided wherever my tupuna takes me. I feel at peace with myself, in that I have honoured my grandmother, served my community and hapu as best I could. I also have an obligation and responsibility to share my gifts and knowledge and share my time and energy with others where it may benefit them.” - Joseph
Summary
Joseph is a great example of someone who has not been defined by how poorly they did at primary or secondary school. Like many others, his passion and drive in his later teenage years set him on a path to true success (spiritually, mentally and physically). He had great support around him, but it takes a personal drive and dedication to achieve what he has achieved.
You don’t simply become a success like Joseph. It takes dedication, hard work, and a little help from supportive whanau, friends, and work colleagues. The key here is finding and igniting the passion that waits within us all.
I was truly humbled when Joseph explained his life story to date. He has filled it with meaning and is living life to the maximum.
You can find his work and reach Joseph via his website www.jtconsultancy.co.nz
I wish you all the best in the years to come, Joseph.
Interview and Story written by Tony Cutting
for Kumara Vine
