Dr Chris Taua

Dr Chris Taua is a registered nurse specialising in mental health and health education, with over 35 years’ experience across the health, education, disability, justice, and corporate sectors. Her work is grounded in clinical practice, academic scholarship, and a strong commitment to trauma-informed practice, equity, and cultural safety.

Chris has worked across specialist inpatient and community mental health settings. Her PhD examined the mental health inpatient experiences of people with intellectual disability, and she continues to publish on mental health, cultural diversity, and cultural safety. She holds a qualification in Adult Education.

Chris is Director of Pumahara Consultants, contributes to tertiary teaching in mental health and cultural safety, and serves on the Ministry of Health–appointed Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal. She is an Accredited Instructor for Mental Health First Aid Aotearoa, a Fellow of Te Ao Māramatanga – the New Zealand College of Mental Health Nurses, a Fulbright Travel Award recipient (2013), and a former Chair of the Mental Health Education and Resource Centre