Ko Pukekautuku tōku maunga Ko Ngaruroro tōku awa Ko Tākitimu tōku waka Ko Ngāti Kāhungunu me Waikato – Tainui ōku iwi Ko Rūnanga tōku marae Ko Ōtautahi tōku kāinga tupu Ko Samantha Iri tōku ingoa Samantha Iri was born in Ōtautahi and has whakapapa connections to Ngāti Kahungunu and Waikato-Tainui. Samantha has studied Te Reo Māori through Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and completed Health and Wellbeing studies at Ara Institute of Canterbury. She is also a graduate in the Ngā Manukura Leadership Programme for Māori in Public Health, which strengthens her ability to lead change and improve health equity for whānau. Samantha has worked as a Whānau Ora Navigator at the Trust, supporting whānau to achieve their aspirations and access resources. She previously worked with Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, advocating for funding and better education outcomes from primary through to tertiary levels. When she is not busy with her mahi, Samantha enjoys playing sport, performing kapa haka, and spending time with her daughter. Whānau are at the centre of everything Samantha does. She is passionate about empowering whānau with the tools to navigate systems not designed for Māori and wants to see whānau become confident leaders who take control of their own futures.
