Dr Heather Came MNZM is a seventh generation Pākehā New Zealander.
She has a background is in public health and social justice activism. Her research focuses on critical policy analysis, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, antiracism and institutional racism in the health sector. As an activist scholar Heather is a founding member and co-chair of STIR: Stop Institutional Racism has prepared expert evidence for Waitangi Tribunal, has presented to United Nations human rights committees.
In 2020 she founded the Decol 2020 series of virtual anti-racism gatherings. She was a joint winner of 2021 Kāhui Hauora Tūmatanui Public Health Champion Award in recognition of her lifetime contribution to public health. In 2022 she was made a member of the order of New Zealand for her contributions to Māori, health and education.
She works as an Associate Professor at Auckland University of Technology, is an Adjunct Professor with Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington and has a consultancy – Heather Came and Associates – pursuing racial justice.