Katie-Maries Jarvis is Te Marae Ora, Ministry of Health’s new Law and Order Clinical Psychologist.

Jarvis, who will be based in the Mental Health Department, will be working predominantly with the Ministry of Justice - Courts, Corrective Services - Prison and TMO to complete court-ordered psychological assessments.

She takes over from Dr Evangelene Daniela-Wong who recently moved to New Zealand due to family matters, says TMO.

 Jarvis is expected to look through a number of Court files for psychological assessments that are pending.

TMO secretary Bob Williams said the newly recruited, Law and Order Clinical Psychologist who will be assisting the four key agencies – Corrective Services, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Police and TMO and, “Hopefully with the recruitment of this key role, psychological assessment reports will be brought up to date.”

Director Public Health Metua Bates said Jarvis, who comes with a wealth of experience in this area, from New Zealand has already started work.

 In addition, TMO’s new Manager for Mental Health Maurein Betts who is of Cook Islands descent began work in March. She comes with a background in Mental Health Nursing from New Zealand.

 Bates said, “Dr Evangelene had a dual role as Clinical Psychologist and Manager Mental Health, while we were recruiting a Manager.

 “Now we have a Manager and Dr Evangelene has had to relocate to New Zealand for family reasons. Therefore, a recruitment process will begin to replace Dr Evangelene’s role as Clinical Psychologist.” She added, “Katie-Marie’s role as Law and Order Clinical Psychologist will provide psychological assessments only, insofar as they relate to court-ordered psychologist assessments. That is where her expertise lies.”