Students get hands on during a collaborative initiative between Te Whatu Ora Southern and Kia Ora Houora to help Māori high school students learn about careers in health. Photo: Supplied
A new collaboration is helping Māori high school students learn about careers in health.
Te Whatu Ora Southern and Māori mentoring programme Kia Ora Hauora invited 17 students to experience different services in Wakari and Dunedin hospitals during a three-day tour.
It included speaking with staff from different services, including pharmacy, oral health, mental health, physiology, physiotherapy, public health, paediatric outpatients, radiation and audiology.
Bayfield High School student Holly Bezett (17) said it was a great opportunity.
"I'm passionate about helping people and I love children. I'm interested in paediatric nursing, radiation and oncology," she said.
"This visit will help me find out more about the health sector and the great opportunities I could have."
Kia Ora Hauora is a national programme which aims to increase the overall number of Māori working in the health and disability sector.
Its co-ordinator Trudy Thomson said staff were passionate about supporting rangatahi Māori to meet their potential, and Māori students were encouraged to explore tertiary education.
"No matter what stage of the decision-making process our rangatahi are in, we can assist and support a better understanding of the exciting professions in healthcare," she said.
"Healthcare is one of the most dynamic and growing fields in the world. The rewards of working in this industry are endless, and we hope this visit opens their eyes to the possibilities."
Seventeen students were introduced to a range of the services offered at Wakari Hospital and Dunedin Hospital during a three-day tour. Photo: Supplied
Te Whatu Ora Pou Taki Educator Matt Kiore said helping young Māori students was a privilege.
"We want the tauira to know they don't stand alone - we are here to catch them if they fall, and we are honoured to have this opportunity to help them make some big life decisions."
Te Whatu Ora Acting Chief Māori Health Strategy and Improvement Officer Nancy Todd said the collaboration had been a long time in the making.
"It's the small things we do in health which make a world of difference, and I hope our students get to experience this first-hand during their three-day visit."