-
- Nayda Heays (RN, PG Cert, BN) -
- Jason Tahi (BSc, Human Nutrition & Exercise Science) -
- Waimarie Onekawa (Midwife) -
- Dr. Wiremu MacFater (Surgical Research Fellow/Registrar) -
- Brooklyn Lyndon Tonga (Laboratory Technician (Histology)
KOH
Featured Health Champion
Brooklyn Lyndon Tonga, Lab Technician (Histology)
Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Porou
Brooklyn is happily carving out a career for herself as a Lab Technician at Auckland’s North Shore Hospital. Yet like most teenagers growing up, she didn’t know what she wanted to do.
Growing up I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. I started out studying, didn’t like study. I did a stint as a health care assistant; I liked parts of it but not all of it. Then I thought nursing would be good for me, but no, not for me. I suppose you could say I was lost.
I came here because my mother saw the advertisement for a Lab Tech to train at North Shore Hospital. The night before the interview I did some serious research. It was the best thing I’ve ever done. It’s an earn-while-you-learn kind of job. I’m working on the job and studying at the same time.
I’m a lab technician in training; I’m specialising in histology, which is the study of the microscopic structure of tissue. When patients go in for operations and tissue is removed, it comes to us, particularly the tissue that needs to be tested.
We produce the slides the doctors use to make their diagnosis. We have to get right; a lot depends on one test.
I’ve been registered with Kia Ora Hauora since I was at school and they were there when I did my health care assistant training. They were there when I needed help with scholarships. I attended all the KOH events and they’ve helped me access different opportunities and encourage me on my career pathway. That includes this one.
I sit my finals soon and when I do I’ll have an Annual Practising Certificate (APC) I’d like to continue study, who knew, but I have a dream to one day be a doctor. It’s a dream I’ve had since I was a little. I work with people who have done that. They’re scientists, doctors and I want to be like that.
Secondary - Ngā Tauira (Whare Kura)
Tertiary - Ngā Tauira (Wānanga)
Careers
Tautoko Whānau
Find a Career
Find a Job
Find Funding