2009 Tainui Nursing Scholarships announced

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2009 Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu Nursing Scholarships announced

Darilyn Cox - Ngāti Apakura - is completing her Masters of Nursing at Wintec. Bernadine Amiria Te Hau Tanawhea is a first year Bachelor of Nursing student at Wintec. Of the numerous things they have in common, one is currently a stand-out : they are both recipients of the Wintec 2009 Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu Nursing Scholarship.

Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) launched the Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu Nursing Scholarship in memory of Dame Te Atairangikaahu. The taonga from the late Dame Te Ata, was first announced in March 18 2006 when Wintec bestowed its highest honour, a Fellowship, on Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu at Turangawaewae Marae.

The scholarship is to enable a Tainui student to undertake a three-year nursing degree with fees being paid by Wintec for the three years. In each of the years following, a new scholarship will be offered. The three year scholarship allows the recipient to undertake full time study in Bachelor of Nursing (Direct Entry), Bachelor of Nursing (Registered Nursing), Bachelor of Midwifery, Postgraduate of Diploma in Nursing or a Post-Graduate Diploma in Nursing (Māori Mental Health).

“The importance of establishing a culturally supportive nursing service within the Waikato District Health Board has particular significance for me”, Darilyn Cox says. “Based on the population statistics found within the Waikato region my role of Clinical Nurse Director – Māori, is well placed to influence cultural inclusion/partnership with the Waikato District Health Boards nursing and midwifery environment.

She says the expectations of a Māori leader bring with it additional expectations amongst fellow Māori and non Māori peers. “ Resilience and pursuance are some of the attributes that a Māori leader must acquire especially when there is a need to honour the ‘whanaungatanga’ links with other Māori but be able to deal with ‘the situation at hand as a leader.

“My dissertation study is to facilitate Māori nurses and midwives into leadership roles using kaupapa Māori research methods. The study intends to improve the retention of Māori nurses and midwives, thus improving the quality of services for Māori.”

Darilyn said the study has been borne out of the knowledge that the Māori workforce is lower than that of non-Māori in leadership positions. I hope to gain an understanding of why and build onto that knowledge base for solutions.

“I am thankful and appreciative to be able to further my studies and realise the opportunity and mana that the Dame Te Ata-i-rangi-kahu Scholarship carries for Māori.

No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa! “

Bernadine Amiria Te Hau Tanawhea – Ngati Hau is in her first year of a three year Bachelor of Nursing programme. Her marae is Rukumoana. Bernadine says to be awarded the Dame Te Atairangikaahu Nursing Scholarship will greatly assist her by allowing me to focus my studies and improve her grades instead of worrying about how to pay for her period of study.

“The scholarship will also enhance my determination to do well because of the honour of receiving the award. I will also be assisting in Māori health with my whanau and other Māori people see my brown face as their nurse at the Waikato Hospital. I will give them comfort, a sense of well being and make them feel at ease. I am thankful to receive this funding and would do everything I can to support Māori health.

The presentation of the Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu Nursing Scholarship in memory of Dame Te Atairangikaahu is this Friday - 29 May 2009 at 11:30 at Wintec’s Bill Gallagher Centre.

ENDS

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