Tend Health Co-Founder and Co-CEO Cecilia Robinson has been appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in the New Year Honours, recognising her contribution to business and women in Aotearoa.
Cecilia said she was deeply humbled by the recognition, describing it as a reflection of the many people she has worked alongside throughout her career.
“This honour belongs to the remarkable people I have had the privilege to work with, especially my husband and co-founder James, and the Tend team. Nothing meaningful is ever achieved alone. At Tend our purpose is to help New Zealanders be the healthiest people in the world, and this recognition reflects our shared commitment to building healthcare that is equitable, accessible and designed for everyone.”
As Co-founder and Co-CEO, Cecilia has helped grow Tend into New Zealand’s third largest primary healthcare provider, delivering a nationally scaled digi-physical model that combines technology, in-person care and AI-enabled services, with a strong focus on people-first healthcare and the future of primary care.
Her leadership also spans governance and advocacy. Cecilia is Co-Chair of B416, the national movement for safer digital environments for young people, and serves as a Director of My Food Bag (NZX) and Pie Funds. She is a prominent voice on digital safety, youth wellbeing, education and healthcare transformation, and is deeply committed to mentoring women and improving outcomes and leadership pathways for women.
Cecilia has previously been recognised with honours including NZ Innovator of the Year, Women of Influence and EY Entrepreneur of the Year. Alongside James, she has spent two decades building national businesses while raising their three children.
“I am deeply grateful to my family, my co-founders and the incredible Tend team. This honour reflects what we have built together and motivates me to keep pushing for better outcomes for all New Zealanders.”
