Brooke Hayward

I am a Pākehā of English heritage who is still learning about her ancestry following the discovery of some family genealogy mysteries. Born in Tauranga, I grew up in Kirikiriroa, and have made South Auckland home for the past ten years, together with my husband, our two gorgeous kids and pet rabbit. I identify strongly as Tangata Tiriti and tauiwi, and value partnering with communities in Aotearoa to contribute privilege-aware, equity-focused and pro-Tiriti evidence that centres the voices of underserved communities.

I joined the Le Va team in September 2024, and have worked in health and social sector focused research and evaluation for more than 15 years. I am passionate about supporting people and organisations to co-create, understand and use evidence that helps them to achieve more equitable access, experiences and outcomes for Māori and Pasifika.

I studied Community Psychology (MAppPsyc), which is grounded in social justice values, sustainability and ecological models of health and wellbeing.  Before Le Va, I worked briefly in the private sector, providing contracted research and evaluation services to the New Zealand Government and previously worked with Health NZ Counties Manukau for more than eight years delivering research and evaluation studies, and supporting the development of learning organisations, which work to continually improve what they do for the benefit of those we serve.

My work emphasises the lived and living experience of underserved communities, specifically whānau Māori and Pasifika. It is the greatest honour and privilege in my work to be entrusted with stories about the lives and experiences of others, and to have the opportunity to learn from these stories, and amplify them to influence change.

I am thrilled to be part of the Le Va family and incredibly excited about our potential and journey ahead.