Rowe – a University of Auckland lecturer, neonatal ICU nurse and nurse consultant – will step into the role at the Whakatane-based nursing school in February to replace current director Ngaira Harker.

Harker, who has been director for the Te Ōhanga Mataora Paetahi (Bachelor of Health Science Māori Nursing) programme since September 2013, has resigned to take up a post as Director of Nursing, Māori Health, in late January at Hawke’s Bay District Health Board.

The appointment of Rowe was a “real coup” for the programme, said Harker.  “It bodes well for the programme that we have people of that calibre wanting to apply for head of school.”

Harker was with the school for the duration of the first Whakatane-based student cohort to complete the kaupapa Māori degree programme.  That cohort sat their state final exams on November 21.

Rowe, a keen surfer, is affiliated to Ngāi Tahu.