'Leading With Purpose, Grounded In Whakapapa' Haehaetu Barrett

Welcoming Haehaetu Barrett to Purposely, where she shares her journey from working on the front lines with vulnerable communities to becoming CEO of Lifewise.

Haehaetu Barrett with Mark Longbottom, Host of Purposely

As CEO of one of New Zealand’s leading social service organisations, Haehaetu is focused on tackling homelessness, poverty, and inequality. Her story is shaped by culture, lived experience, and a strong drive to make a real difference.

Haehaetu’s leadership journey began in Rotorua, shaped by her father's academic influence and her mother’s deep connection to Māori traditions. Diagnosed as a teenager with retinitis pigmentosa—a hereditary degenerative eye condition—Haehaetu has faced challenges with remarkable determination, becoming a source of inspiration to those around her.

With 16 years at Lifewise, Haehaetu’s career has spanned frontline social work to executive leadership. She stepped into the CEO role during the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing with her a reputation for collaboration, compassion, and strategic insight.

Under her leadership, Lifewise delivers holistic services for people of all ages—from tamariki to kaumātua. The organisation goes beyond awareness campaigns like the Big Sleep Out to deliver practical, sustainable solutions to housing insecurity. Haehaetu champions the value of lived experience, cultural identity, and genuine community partnerships in designing effective support systems.

Her deep understanding of intergenerational trauma and the importance of whakapapa informs everything she does. By embedding cultural respect and emotional awareness into Lifewise’s work, she ensures people are not only supported—but also empowered.

Haehaetu’s advocacy extends beyond the organisation. She is a respected voice in conversations with government, iwi, and sector leaders across Aotearoa, championing systemic change and social equity.

Despite the pressures of her role, Haehaetu remains grounded in self-awareness and resilience. She speaks openly about the realities of burnout and the challenge of balancing leadership with personal well-being. Her connection to whānau and whakapapa continues to anchor her, shaping a leadership style that is both purposeful and human.

Haehaetu Barrett is a living example of what it means to lead with heart and purpose. Her vision at Lifewise is shaping innovative, community-led solutions to some of society’s most complex challenges—leaving a legacy defined by empathy, strength, and hope.

To read more about Haehaetu Barrett visit:

www.lifewise.org.nz/about-lifewise/our-team/