Cynthia Otene
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Doctoral Candidate, Health Science
Maungataniwha te Maunga
Tapapa te Awa
Mangamuka te Marae
Ngapuhi te Wharemoko
Puhi Kai Ariki
Puhi Moana Ariki
Puhi Taniwha Rau
Ko Ngapuhi te Iwi
Cynthia Otene is an esteemed Māori leader renowned for her significant contributions to hauora Māori, podiatry, and diabetes management. Born in Kaitaia and raised in Mangamuka, Cynthia has dedicated her career to Hauora Māori.
Cynthia holds a Master of Health Science and is currently completing her Doctorate in Health Science at Auckland University of Technology (AUT), supported by the Tā Hemi Henare Kohanga Reo Doctorate Award.
A dedicated clinician, Cynthia has over 18 years of experience as a Diabetes Specialist Podiatrist, profoundly impacting Māori communities through her practice in clinical biomechanics, orthotics, and diabetic amputation prevention. Her commitment to Māori health and her excellence in clinical practice have been recognized internationally and nationally.
Cynthia currently serves as Associate Director at Deloitte, focusing on Māori health research and evaluation. Previously, she held research roles at Hapai Te Hauora, a provider of Māori public health services in the greater Auckland region, and health and disability services provider Te Toka Tumai Auckland (Health New Zealand), both using her leadership and expertise in healthcare. She has extensive experience in Marae based health services in North Waikato as well as community care throughout Te Taitokerau.
Her board and governance experience include serving as an Board Member and Investment Committee Representative for Te Taumata Hauora o Te Kahu o Taonui. Cynthia actively engages with community leadership, demonstrating her commitment to whānau, hapū, and iwi well-being through positions on various boards and trusts.
Cynthia's journey is driven by kaupapa Māori methodologies, advocating passionately for culturally informed health interventions. Through her work, Cynthia continues to inspire and influence positive change, exemplifying Māori leadership in health and beyond.
Rangahau · Related projects
Awardee: Cynthia Otene (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa), Auckland University of Technology Māori have higher rates of diabetes Amputations than non-Māori. The Rangahau will utilise Kaupapa Māori methodology to explore experiences of Māori, who have had a lower limb amputation due to diabetes. The Rangahau uses wānanga to kōrero to participants about the experiences of…
View projectExperiences of Podiatry foot screening, for Māori with diabetes related amputations.
Awardee: Cynthia Otene (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa), Auckland University of Technology
Māori have higher rates of diabetes Amputations than non-Māori. The Rangahau will utilise Kaupapa Māori methodology to explore experiences of Māori, who have had a lower limb amputation due to diabetes.
The Rangahau uses wānanga to kōrero to participants about the experiences of Podiatry foot screening provided by podiatrists before they received an amputation. The study will allow whānau who have received an amputation a chance to share their story around their experiences of the Podiatry screening they received before they had an amputation.
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