Dean Rangihuna

Dean is of Ngati-Porou (father’s side) and Ngati Hei (mother’s side) descent. He is the father of four boys, two of whom are on the autism spectrum.

Dean has worked in mental health and addiction for over 25 years. In 2017, he was appointed to the Safe Practice Effective Communication (SPEC) governance committee, and the Health Quality Safety Commission’s Māori Advisory Group working towards zero seclusion. He was a panel member of the 2018 Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction, and in 2020 was appointed to the Māori expert reference panel for the Suicide Prevention Office. Between 2021-2024 Dean was Te Aka Whai ora, Oranga Hinengaro Lived experience Principal Advisor and a reference group member for Mental Health and Addictions with the Royal Commission into state abuse care.

Dean is extremely passionate about capacity and capability building for Māori workforce development and peer support in the mental health and addiction sector. He believes in putting people and whānau at the centre in everything we do and listening to their voices. His mantra is to be a servant to the people.

People might not remember what you said or did, but they will remember how you made them feel.