A set of new health scholarships is set to try and boost Pasifika representation in the workforce.
The scholarships, named after a prominent Pasifika health professional, are now on offer for Pacific students in New Zealand to study at the Hamilton-based tertiary institution, Wintec.
Leaupepe Elisapeta (Peta) Karalus Photo: ©markhamiltonphotography 2019
The inaugural Leaupepe Elisapeta (Peta) Karalus Scholarships are now open until 22 January 2021, for Pasifika people to pursue study at a degree level in the areas of health and social practice.
Karalus said she was honoured to be recognised for her contribution and work in the community.
"There has always been, and still is, a serious lack of Pasifika peoples across all health and social practice occupations, which means that ultimately Pasifika people continue to have poor health outcomes."
She said these scholarships would contribute immensely to increasing Pasifika representation in these areas.
"I envisage there will be a time in the future, if all goes well, Pacific healthcare providers, District Health Boards and other organisations will have the luxury of acquiring the size and mix of the workforce that could appropriately meet the needs of their Pacific communities."
Karalus established K'aute Pasifika, a Pasifika-focussed service to enable the health and wellbeing of Pasifika people in Hamilton and the wider Waikato region.
She was also a former staff member and tutor at Wintec's nursing school in the late 1990s.
In 2006, Karalus was awarded Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit at the Queen's Birthday Honours for services to the Pacific Islands community.
She was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from Wintec in 2019 for her significant contribution to health and education for the Pasifika community.
Wintec Chief Executive, David Christiansen, said the new scholarships were part of a wider commitment to building more opportunities for Māori and Pasifika learners.
"They will contribute to seeing more Pasifika in the health workforce and are great way to support students to come and engage in health-related training.
Wintec's Director at the Centre for Health and Social Practice, Dr Sharon Brownie, said she was excited by the opportunities the new scholarships would provide Pasifika students training in health and social practice.
"We know that Pasifika are under-represented in our health workforce and these scholarships will go a long way in training and supporting more Pasifika students in areas such as nursing, social work, counselling, physiotherapy, and midwifery."
All tuition fees for the duration of the degree will be paid for and the scholarships will be ongoing, awarded annually, with an approximate value of $NZ30,000 each year.
The scholarships will be awarded in late January.