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- Nayda Heays (RN, PG Cert, BN) -
- Waimarie Onekawa (Midwife) -
- Dr. Wiremu MacFater (Surgical Research Fellow/Registrar)
MAI TAWHITI
OFFICIAL LAUNCH
Kia Ora Hauora Mai Tawhiti is a new innovative online e-mentoring programme.
JUNE 2022
Kia Ora Hauora Mai Tawhiti is a new innovative online e-mentoring programme designed to increase the number of Māori students who successfully make the transition from secondary school into a tertiary study health pathway.
Kia ora Hauora launched the new kaupapa Māori tool in May with a pilot programme involving ten volunteer students from different parts of the country. Five of them are currently studying full-time for a health degree and perform the role of Tuakana (mentors) and five are Teina (mentees) who are currently Year 13 students interested in a career in health.
“The heart of Kia Ora Hauora Mai Tawhiti is the relationship between Tuakana and Teina and the real-world knowledge and experience Tuakana can pass on to their Teina,” says Cazna Luke, Kia Ora Hauora National Coordination Centre Programme Manager.
“The programme is carefully designed to support Tuakana to mentor their peers effectively and appropriately. We know that mentors benefit greatly from the experience, the relationships they form and their acts of service; and we know that with the right supports and positive role models around them we can help increase the number of young Māori who successfully make the transition to university.
“Once the Teina enter tertiary study Kia Ora Hauora has a well-developed nation-wide framework built over the past 12 years that can support them throughout their studies, into the workforce and along their career path.”
The pilot is being used to fine-tune the programme before opening applications for both Tuakana and Teina participants. Tuakana must be enrolled full-time in a health-related degree at a tertiary institute and Teina must be enrolled as Year 13 students at a secondary school. All Tuakana are required to undergo a Police vetting process before being accepted.
“Being an online programme means we can connect students from anywhere in the country, it’s time and cost effective and following our collective Covid experience students have become accustomed and adept at working and learning in online environments,” says Cazna.
Kia Ora Hauora Mai Tawhiti consists of 1:1 online sessions between Tuakana and Teina as well as group sessions where the cohort comes together as a group. The sessions cover topics such as identifying your support people, understanding career options and pathways, what university life is really like, how to apply for university as well as scholarships and grants. It also includes specialist guest speakers from the health sector.
The 10-week programme has a full-time programme coordinator and the support of the National Office and the four Kia Ora Hauora Regional Coordinators.
“We want our Teina to come away with no questions left unanswered about a tertiary health study pathway and what a rewarding career in health has to offer. It’s the beginning of a lifelong relationship with their Tuakana and with Kia Ora Hauora.”
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