Rangimokai Fruean

Rangimokai resides in Taranaki. After stepping out of the Taha Māori Programme in Hanmer Springs in 2002 she has been in recovery for 21 years and part of the consumer movement since 2003.

Rangimokai has held a range of positions in addiction services, including roles with Oranga Tamariki, Te Whare Marie Māori mental health and addictions service, Tui Ora, Matua Raki, Christchurch Prisons, Oranga Hinengaro MDHB, and Auckland Unitec. She managed and developed of the first methamphetamine model of care, Waka Tika Ora, for communities of resistance, and has worked as a lecturer for the Bachelor of Applied Social Services at North Tec Te Tai Tokerau Wānanga, where she developed the addiction major curriculum. Rangimokai is passionate about consumer participation at all levels of service delivery.

Rangimokai’s professional memberships have included Kaupapa Whānau Oranga – the National Māori recovery Wānanga 2003-2021, the Addiction Consumer Leadership Group (ACLG), DRUA Executive National Pacific Addiction Network 2013-2023, DRUA Pasifika Consumer and Family Lived Experience Group 2021-2023, Māori Advisory Group (MAG) Health, Quality & Safety Commission 2019-2023, and the Advisory Group for the 5-year AOD Strategy for Corrections 2020-2021.

Being of Māori descent, Rangimokai is a proactive advocate for equal rights under Te Tiriti o Waitangi for Māori, while her Pacific descent has led her to advocacy for DRUA Consumer and their Families Network and Mana Moana.

She holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Massey University, a Level 5 Diploma in Te Reo Māori from Te Wānaga o Aotearoa, and Iwi Kaiwhakaruruhau Mai Te Korowai Aroha O Aotearoa.

Currently, Rangimokai is a Senior Social Worker working in Care and Protection for Oranga Tamariki Ngāmotu Taranaki, while being the Chair of Te Kauae Raro, the Māori Lived Lived Experience Council at Te Pou.