Our people

Patron

Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Kahu

Dame Cindy Kiro is the Governor-General of New Zealand and Patron of the Cardiac and Respiratory Foundation NZ. She has held senior leadership roles across education, health and the public sector, and was appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2021 for services to child wellbeing and education.

Chief Cultural Advisor – Māori

Ngati Porou descent, with whakapapa connections with Ngapuhi and Ngati Kahungunu.

Sir John has advised Ministers on Treaty settlements for more than 25 years and played a significant role in Māori-Crown relations. He has held senior public sector leadership roles and provides guidance on tikanga Māori, protocols and engagement with Māori communities. He was appointed KNZM in 2018 for services to Māori and New Zealand.

Chairman

John has been involved with the Foundation for 15 years, including around eight as Chair. Based in Hawke’s Bay, he has helped grow his local asthma organisation from a small society into a registered charitable trust. John works in the real estate industry, is a Business Mentor, and chairs an early childhood education trust operating nationwide.

Co-Chair

Ngāti Ranginui/Ngāi Te Rangi

Janice is from Tauranga Moana and is Managing Director of Nga Mataapuna Oranga (Māori PHO). With a background in healthcare, she has experience across hospital and community settings and serves on several health sector boards. In 2026, Janice was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori health.

Ngāti Raukawa/Ngāti Wehiwehi

Cheryl has managed Tu Kotahi Māori Asthma Trust for more than 30 years. She has presented at national and international conferences on Māori respiratory health and healthy housing, and has a strong interest in Māori health research. Over the past 25 years, she has contributed to a number of significant research projects aimed at improving outcomes for Māori communities.

Ruth is a retired Registered Nurse with a strong interest in respiratory health and education. She lectured at Otago Polytechnic’s School of Nursing and worked as a respiratory nurse educator in both hospital and primary care settings. Ruth is committed to improving outcomes for people with respiratory conditions through education, advocacy and better-connected healthcare services.

Ngati Porou/Tauiwi

Jeannine Stairmand is a senior lecturer at the University of Otago Wellington and a member of the C3-Cancer and Chronic Conditions Research Group. A nurse with a Master of Public Health, she has more than 20 years’ experience across Māori health, primary care, public health and policy. Her research interests include health inequities, Hauora Māori, cancer screening and service delivery.

Ngati Manomano/Ngati Raukawa/Ngapuhi/Ngai Tuhoe

Taumata has lived with asthma since experiencing a severe asthma attack at age eight. His personal experience has shaped a strong commitment to health and wellbeing, and he has supported the Foundation through fundraising initiatives, including running events. Taumata is passionate about showing that people with asthma can lead healthy, active and fulfilling lives while managing their condition.