General Manager
Administrator
Pasifika Mobile Community Nurse & Health Promoter
Pasifika Mobile Community Nurse
Community Health Support Worker
Health Promoter
Registered Nurse
Registered Nurse
After 25 years’ working in public health, Carmen Collie has found a new outlet for her skills and passion.
At an official ceremony on Friday, Tangata Atumotu Trust welcomed Collie as its new general manager.
Collie said the ceremony and support by all those that attended was incredible and humbling.
During her years in public health, Collie had carved out a niche for herself in alcohol harm reduction, which she had done at a local, regional and national level.
Six years-ago, Collie and her family moved down from Auckland, which saw her continue with project management and included leading the development of an alcohol action plan for Christchurch and co-leading a study on tertiary wellbeing in the South Island.
Collie heard through her networks that TAT was looking for a General Manager.
“People started saying ‘this could be a bit of you so why not put your hat in the ring’.”
Having worked as an independent contractor for more than 20 years, Collie thought it might be time to join a team again.
“The board saw my passion and enthusiasm, and here I am today. It is an absolute honour that they have entrusted their precious organisation to me. I hope I can do them proud.”
The mother-of-two had three simple, yet significant, things she wished to bring to TAT.
They were enthusiasm, fa’aaloalo (respect) and alofa (love).
Collie said Tangata Atumotu Trust had a long and proud history in Christchurch.
She hoped to build on that existing foundation to increase the breadth of services.
“Things are coming together that will enable the organisation to fly. There are lots of exciting things in the wings, so hopefully we can build on these, really raise the profile of the organisation and increase the breadth of services that we are able to offer to our community.”
“We have a really committed board and staff.”
She wanted to see TAT address determinants of health, including working towards the removal of barriers that prevent the Pacific community from achieving high levels of health and wellbeing.
Collie is passionate about Pacific culture, with her own husband and two daughters being Samoan.
“With the support of my aiga Samoa and the wider Pasifika community, I hope I can make a meaningful contribution towards better outcomes for Pasifika here in Canterbury.”
