Delivering a representative healthcare workforce for south Auckland
A partnership to support more Māori and Pasifika into healthcare careers in Counties Manukau is on track to exceed its targets.
Te Ara Oranga: Pathways to Wellbeing Project began in 2019 with the goal of training and employing 500 additional new staff from these groups to deliver a representative workforce to the region by 2025.
However, since then 350 have earned qualifications through the scheme with 670 students currently registered under the project.
“The strength of this kaupapa is that it creates a direct pathway from school, home or another field of practice to an essential career in our hospitals, public health, Whānau Ora or other community care settings,” says Pou Hautu (Māori co-leader) at MIT and Unitec, Keith Ikin (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Apakura).
“It includes mentoring and coaching initiatives personalised to address risk factors that increase the likelihood of disengagement,” says Mr Ikin.
Of the students registered with the project, 25.5% are Māori and 65.8% Pasifika, while the remainder is individuals from outside these groups who have demonstrated their passion for working to support better outcomes for traditionally underserved communities.
Strong progress has been made this year with a 64% increase in enrolled students and 53% increase in qualified students since February 2022.
“While COVID has caused disruptions to learning since Te Ara Oranga began, it’s also put health futures at the forefront for the communities we are working with,” says Project Manager Ange Sagapolutele. (Ngāti Maru, Ngāti Puu and Sakoca - Suva, Fiji ).
“The Pandemic showed what a big difference you can make as a nurse or healthcare worker and also the trust created when you are cared for by someone who understands your cultural background,” says Ms Sagapolutele.
Te Ara Oranga is delivered through a partnership between Manukau Institute of Technology and Te Whatu Ora – Counties Manukau with major funding from Health Workforce New Zealand.