Danielle O’Halloran

Born and raised in Ōtautahi/Christchurch, Danielle (Samoa – Malie ma Mulifanua, Pākehā – Ireland & England) is a passionate advocate for the voice of lived experience at any leadership table.

Danielle’s current roles are as Matanga Kaimahi at Te Oriori – Purapura Whetu providing Rongoaa Māori services, mirimiri and romiromi to whānau with tamariki aged between 5-12 years, and as a Hapūtanga Rongoaa Māori specialist for Mama Moana, providing gentle pregnancy and post-partum mirimiri/romiromi sessions.

For the past 20 years, Danielle has worked primarily in the education sector, previously in tertiary education with Pacific students at the University of Canterbury and in Pacific education research.

Danielle was previously Lead Adviser – Regional Development with the Ministry of Education for eight years, enabling collaborative change and innovation to enhance equity and excellence in education for all learners.

A mum of three, Danielle is also an active member of the Pacific Arts community and a practicing kaimirimiri/kairomiromi – a role to which she brings a wellbeing focus from an Aotearoa-born Pacific lens.

Currently working on her PhD on the lived experiences of New Zealand-born Pacific peoples with indigenous Māori and Pacific healing practices in the diaspora, Danielle also enjoys performing poetry and volunteers at both Te Arateatea Whare Hauora’s weekly community clinic and at Fale Eke Pacific Hub.