An aspiring nurse, nurse practitioner, clinical
psychologist, and a St John’s ambulance medic, who all
strive to make meaningful change and improve Māori health
and well-being outcomes, are this year’s recipients of the
Hiwa-i-te-rangi Māori Health Leadership
Scholarship.
Valued at a total of $20,000 the
purpose of the scholarship, which is supported by leading
home and community provider New Zealand Health Group (NZHG),
is to enable more Māori to be in decision-making leadership
roles within the health sector.
Ranei Wineera-Parai,
Group Executive Cultural Advisor for NZHG, says “We are
truly humbled by the commitment each of these recipients is
demonstrating to make a real difference in improving access
and equity of healthcare for Māori in their
communities.
“Forging stronger partnerships with iwi
and Māori health leadership is essential if we want to
ensure our health system delivers equitable outcomes and for
everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand.
“It is a privilege
to be supporting the journey and partnering with these four
individuals as they contribute to building a responsive
health service which we know will help serve the specific
needs of our Māori clients and their whānau,” said Ms
Wineera-Parai.
Each of the recipients will receive
$5,000 to assist them in advancing their training and
qualifications to address Māori equity through leadership.
The 2022 recipients include:
Sophia
Wairoa-Harrison:
Sophia is currently
enrolled in a Graduate Diploma in Psychology at Otago
University and aims to be accepted into a clinical programme
in 2024. Sophia aspires to be a clinical psychologist
focusing on maternal wellbeing and acknowledging that
wāhine Māori are overrepresented in maternal suicide
statistics and Māori, in general, have high suicide rates,
she is also interested in the impact of trauma on the
central nervous system.
“Tangata ako ana i te
kāenga, te tūranga ki te marae, tau ana – a person
nurtured in the community contributes strongly to society. I
see this scholarship as one way I am being nurtured by the
wider community as I develop my aspiration to be a leader
for Māori health.”
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Ani Tomoana:
Having
completed her masters in nursing at the Eastern Institute of
Technology, Ani aims to train as a nurse practitioner so
that she can ensure whānau has better access to medicines
and healthcare services. As part of her plans, Ani wants to
develop a space that encourages whānau to learn about their
own self-identity and self-empowerment which connects them
to cultural and traditional health
practices.
“After I graduate, due to the
increased demand in the healthcare workforce and the poor
health status amongst Māori, I plan to work as a nurse
practitioner within my community to work alongside whanau on
their health journey and fulfil their life
aspirations.”
Destiny
Robinson:
Living in the beautiful rural
town of Murupara in Whakatane, Destiny’s first-hand
experience of the lack of medical support in rural areas has
inspired her to undertake a Bachelor of Nursing to become a
qualified nurse. A solo parent to three young children and
living an hour’s drive away from campus, this scholarship
will assist with the financial stresses she faces in
achieving her dream and changing not only her future but
that of her children and her community.
“I am a
strong believer that our children are the foundations to our
future, but if we can’t provide them with a great start to
life, then we have failed their future. By becoming a
qualified nurse, I can help bring a much needed service to
my community. I will be able to relieve some stress from the
whānau here and have a hand in aiding and supporting the
community.”
Farren
McGregor-Smith:
Farren’s plan after
graduating with a Bachelor of Health Science (Paramedicine)
is to apply for a degree in Bachelor of Medicine and
Surgery. Alongside this, Farren aspires to work for the St
John’s National Māori Responsiveness team to drive
meaningful change in the pre-hospital setting.
“I
want to contribute to advocating for equitable health
outcomes for Māori that incorporate both Te Ao Māori and
Te Ao
Pākehā.
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