First Bachelor of Nursing Māori students to graduate

First Bachelor of Nursing Māori students to graduate

In July 2009, Whitireia became one of two educational institutes to offer a Bachelor of Nursing Māori programme of study. The first intake of students into this programme, were welcomed at a powhiri at Hongoeka Marae, Plimmerton at this time.

Three years on, Whitireia will have this first intake of Bachelor of Nursing Māori students graduating this Saturday, 29 September under the atrium at the Porirua campus. This ceremony will be very much a whānau event with a number attending in support of the students graduating. It will be a special day as we celebrate the success of these graduands and their journey into their chosen nursing career.

The guest speaker at this inaugural Bachelor of Nursing Māori graduation ceremony will be Matiu Rei, Executive Director, Te Runanga Toa Rangatira while Josephine Apihai will speak on behalf of the graduands.

Whitireia is proud of every student graduating; Saturday will be very special for these students and for the polytechnic said Don Campbell, Chief Executive, Whitireia New Zealand. “This ceremony will be a highlight of our academic calendar for 2012. We seek to provide students with a solid foundation in which to build careers in the profession and industries they choose and to foster an interest in life-long learning”.

Students from this programme are set up well for their nursing careers. “Our health programmes have a reputation of delivering work ready, in-demand graduates. From our humble beginnings 26 years ago, we have forged ahead to offer some of the best nursing degrees, turning out some of the best health professionals in this country” said Dr Kathryn Holloway, Dean, Faculty of Health.

The Bachelor of Nursing Māori programme was developed to provide a qualification that prepared graduates to address the health needs of Māori and the general population. The distinct skill-set required by Māori nurses is acknowledged in the programme and is reflected in the curriculum design, teaching, learning and the support environment for students said Willis Katene, Dean, Faculty of Te Wānanga Māori. “Graduates will contribute significantly to the health needs of Māori and all New Zealanders by being able to walk confidently and competently in both worlds”.

The programme is unique; it situates itself in the rohe of Ngāti Toa and is supported by the tangata whenua and tauahere. It spans two facilities at Whitireia, Te Wānanga Māori and the Faculty of Health. This ensures that both nursing and cultural skill sets, expertise and knowledge are supported.
The Bachelor of Nursing Māori is a three year, full time programme following the Maori calendar, with the academic year starting in July.

ENDS

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