Welcoming Dr. Kathie Irwin: Our Kaihautū
Dr. Kathie Irwin (Ngāti Porou, Rakaipaaka, Ngāti Kahungunu)
Our research, Ngā Ara ki te Kāinga: Understanding Barriers and Solutions to Women’s Homelessness, made clear what many in our communities already knew: that wāhine Māori are disproportionately impacted by homelessness. At least one in three women experiencing homelessness are wāhine Māori.
This requires action from us, not just words. So, today, we are honoured to welcome Dr. Kathie Irwin (Ngāti Porou, Rakaipaaka, Ngāti Kahungunu) as our Kaihautū, to co-lead our kaupapa alongside Victoria Crockford. Kathie brings deep experience, sharp insight, and lived commitment to public service, education, and mana wāhine.
Together, Victoria, Kathie and the CEWH Steering Committee will guide the coalition’s work with a clear vision, grounded in Te Tiriti and a determination to shift systems that have too long failed wāhine Māori.
Kathie’s pepeha
We’ve already had the privilege of collaborating with Kathie on our toolkit - a frontline resource which is currently at the wānanga stage, and will offer a gendered analysis through a Te ao Māori lens.
Now, with Kathie’s research expertise, strategic leadership, and strong Crown networks, we know her contribution will strengthen our impact and cultural capability across the board.
“Ending homelessness for wāhine in Aotearoa is critical. I’m ready to roll my sleeves up and get stuck into the mahi,” says Dr. Irwin.
Kathie is a third-generation Māori feminist and educationist, with two decades in academia focused on Māori education, research, and development. Her leadership spans roles across Barnardos, Te Puni Kōkiri, ACC, the Office of the Children’s Commissioner, and the Retirement Commission. In 2020, Kathie founded her own consultancy - Kathie Irwin & Associates - to work closer to the cutting edge of change and transformation.
“Public service and social justice are deeply embedded in my bloodlines. My passion inspires me to contribute to Āotearoatanga, nation building, in innovative and creative ways, that are informed by Sir Apirana Ngata's whakatauāki E tipu, e rea,” she says.
Kathie is a proud mother, nannie, swimmer, singer, and cook.
We are privileged to have her guidance as we work to build a future where every wāhine in Aotearoa has a place to call home.
Learn more about Kathie and her work here: https://www.kathieirwin.com/