Students connect at national Māori student nurses hui

Thirteen WITT nursing tauira attended the annual National Māori Student Nurses Hui in Rotorua recently, joining students from across Aotearoa to explore the hui kaupapa: Te Rākeitanga o Tōku Korowai hei Āhuru Mōwai Mōku - 'Adorning my Cloak as a Sheltered Haven for me'.

Learners from across the country attended the hui, each presenting their interpretation of the hui theme. Nursing kaiako Dee-Anna Ritai-Te Awa said WITT students did a great job presenting their version of the kaupapa during student presentations.

“It was an emotional, raw and real experience straight from each student on their journey in nursing, and what they need to protect them with their korowai/cloak at all times,” she said.

“Students shared their own stories with their Māori peers, and the stories were similar with no judgement and they were free to be unapologetically Māori.”

Students attending the hui also had the chance to hear from Ministry of Health Chief Nurse Lorraine Hetaraka, as well as Registered Nurses and Facilitators Jo Marino and Turuhira Marino.

“Hearing from empowering Māori leaders in nursing gave our students them a glimpse of themselves in the future,” Dee-Anna said.

tudents also shared clinical experience in a simulation setting, and discussed racism – what they see and how they manage it. Tauira were also presented a Te Kaunihera o Ngā Neehi Māori Badge that they will wear proudly in clinical placement and simulation.

Feedback from students was very positive, with thanks given to WITT’s nursing department for the support given to students to take part in the event, removing barriers to attendance so that they could experience the 2021 Hui.

The Hui was co-hosted by hosted by Te Kaunihera o Ngā Neehi Māori o Aotearoa and Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology at Tangatarua Marae, Toi Ohomai in Rotorua from 18 to 21 May. It was also streamed live so that all kura could participate.