Our Executive Committee
The NZOHA Executive Committee provides leadership, strategic direction, and oversight for Te Ohu Pūniho Ora o Aotearoa.
Our role is to support and advocate for our members — Dental Therapists, Dental Hygienists, Oral Health Therapists, and oral health students — ensuring their voices are heard and their profession continues to grow and thrive.
Anna Holyoake
President Tūmuaki
Anna graduated from Otago Dental School as a Dental Hygienist in 2006 and has spent the bulk of her career practising in New Plymouth. Anna's clinical focus in empowering patients to be responsible for their own oral health.
Anna has been part of the association executive since 2016. As president her priority providing engaging education opportunities and advocating for members.
In Anna's spare time she enjoys spending time with her young family and being active outdoors.
Samuel Carrington
Vice President Tūmuaki Tuarua
Samuel is a Senior Lecturer and Associate Dean (Māori) in Te Kaupeka Pūniho - The Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Otago. After graduating in 2012, Samuel has worked in the public and private sectors including at a number of community hubs throughout the Wellington area. While he thrived working in Naenae and Miramar, it was the Kura Kaupapa Māori in Seatoun that helped reaffirm to him why he worked in oral health – to change a system that isn’t fit for Māori.
Samuel is passionate about the changes needed in what he describes as an inequitable dental healthcare system for Māori, and ways in which we can overcome oral health inequities in a culturally safe manner.
Julie Gillingham
Treasurer Kaitiaki Pūtea
Julie is a dental hygienist based in Northland, with extensive clinical experience and a strong commitment to delivering high-quality patient care.
An active member of NZOHA throughout her career in New Zealand, Julie has regularly attended regional meetings and national conferences and values the opportunities NZOHA provides for professional connection, continuing education and supporting the growth of the oral health profession.
Alongside her clinical background, Julie brings valuable business, administration and accounting experience to her role as Treasurer. She is passionate about contributing her skills and experience to support the ongoing strength and future direction of NZOHA and its members.
Chris Han
Community Engagement Director Kaiwhakahaere Hāpori Whānui
Chris is a Lecturer of the Bachelor of Oral Health at AUT. After graduating from the University of Otago in 2016, Chris has worked in the public and private sectors. Chris is passionate about educating future oral health workforce and improving responsiveness of oral health practitioners in child protection.
Melody Martin
Communications Director Kaiwhakahaere Kōrero
Melody is an oral health therapy educator at AUT. She has a long standing passion for advocating the voices of oral health professionals, to enable a powerful united profession.
Anishma Ram
Professional Development Director Kaiwhakhaere Whanaketanga
Anishma is a Dental Therapist in the Waitematā DHB with a demonstrated history of working in the community based dental setting. Anishma is passionate about reducing oral health inequalities and has a vested interest in improving oral health outcomes for children with special needs conditions.
Lateisha Chant
Te Ao Mārama Representative Te Māngai ki Te Ao Mārama
Lateisha Chant (Rangitāne o Wairau, Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Ngāti Raukawa) is an Oral Health Therapist working at Bee Healthy Regional Dental Service in Wellington. Her role as the service's first 'Kaiwhakaora Niho' is dedicated to providing culturally responsive oral health care to tamariki Māori in kura kaupapa Māori and kōhanga reo, delivering services in te reo Māori to foster a supportive environment aligned with te ao Māori.
Lateisha is also on the executive committee for Te Ao Mārama - Aotearoa Māori Dental Association, driven by a deep passion for advocating for systemic change, equitable oral health care and reducing Māori oral health disparities.
Past Executive Committee Members
NZOHA acknowledges the valuable contribution of our past Executive Committee members, who have given their time, knowledge and experience to support the Association and our oral health community.
We thank them for their commitment to NZOHA and for the contribution they have made during their time on the Executive Committee.
Erin Campbell Day
2021-2022 - Treasurer
Lizelle Koen
2022 - 2026 - Treasurer
Contact us with any questions or to join NZOHA
Key Links
Thank you to the Clare Foundation for supporting Te Ohu Pūniho Ora o Aotearoa – New Zealand Oral Health
