Kia Ora Hauora Assistance Available for Maori Tertiary Student Support Groups

22 November 2010

Kia Ora Hauora Midland, the Maori Health Workforce development programme are offering 10 funding assistance packages to Maori Tertiary Student Support groups to encourage the retention of Maori students enrolled in Health or Health related qualifications. The funding is available to support students who reside in the Waikato, Taranaki, Bay of Plenty, Lakes or Tairawhiti region during their study in 2011.

‘Te Kete Taunaki a Tane Te Waiora’ is a new initiative aimed at addressing the retention of Maori students in tertiary education. Findings from AUT’s Rauringa Raupa report on the recruitment and retention of Maori in the health and disability workforce show that close to 60% of Maori students enrolled in tertiary education do not progress past their first year of study (Ratima et al 2007).

“By providing assistance to Maori Tertiary Student Support Groups we seek to boost retention activities at the critical stages, we want to get behind these groups to encourage tauira Maori to stick with their studies” says Chae Simpson, Midland Kia Ora Hauora Coordinator.

‘Te Kete Taunaki a Tane Te Waiora’ is part of the ambitious National Kia Ora Hauora programme to recruit 1000 new Maori into Health Career pathways by 2012 in response to the growing health needs of Maori in Aotearoa. Other initiatives in the Midland region include the successful ‘Kia Ora Hauora – On the Road’ secondary schools workshops and an upcoming Maori community programme.

“Our health workforce is a most valued and important part of health. Maori experience poorer health than others in the Midland region and building a competent, capable skilled and experienced workforce is important to address this” says Phyllis Tangitu, General Manager Maori Health at Lakes District Health Board. Phyllis Tangitu leads the Kia Ora Hauora programme for the Midland region.

For more information contact:
Chae Simpson
Midland Kia Ora Hauora Coordinator
Lakes District Health Board
DDI: 073437714
Private Bag 3023, Rotorua Mail Centre
Rotorua 3046

Last updated: Monday, October 14, 2013