About us
Ko Wai Maatou
Kaitiaki Niho is a kaupapa Māori oral health provider dedicated to enhancing the oral health and overall wellbeing of whānau and communities. Grounded in tikanga Māori, we deliver culturally responsive, community-centred oral health services that prioritise holistic care, kaitiakitanga, manaakitanga, and whanaungatanga.
Oral health promotion and education form integral parts of our delivery model, supporting sustainable improvements in oral health outcomes through prevention, empowerment, and active community engagement. We actively encourage partnership with local iwi, Māori health providers, community organisations, and government agencies to collaboratively deliver tailored services that meet the specific needs of our communities.
By integrating Māori values and traditional practices into contemporary dental care, Kaitiaki Niho ensures equitable access to quality oral health for Māori and all underserved populations. We want to provide a warm environment where whānau feel welcome and listened to. We want to give information and improve engagement so that whānau will have better long-term outcomes.
Our Mission
Better oral health outcomes for whānau
Meet The Team
Dr. ManuAroha Walker
(Ngaati Hauā)
Born and raised in Murihiku (Southland), Dr. ManuAroha Walker (Ngaati Hauaa) is a Māori dentist
and the founder of Kaitiaki Niho. After graduating from the University of Otago, she followed the
sunshine to Australia, gaining extensive dental experience ranging from high-end private practices to
providing essential oral healthcare in remote Indigenous communities of the Northern Territory.
A mother of four, Dr. Walker eventually felt called home, returning to Murihiku with her husband
Jason to raise their tamariki surrounded by the whānau and friends they had dearly missed. With
special interests in oral surgery, community dentistry, and enhancing smiles, she is deeply
committed to advancing oral health equity through kaupapa Māori approaches and community-led
care.