In a ceremony on Tuesday 22 April, Hutt Valley DHB and Hutt Hospital Foundation Trust awarded the latest round of Pacific Health Scholarships.
The recipients of the 2014 awards come from a range of disciplines including nursing, physiotherapy, health sciences, health services management, psychology, social policy and medical physics.
The Pacific Health Scholarship has been running since 2004 and is offered every two to three years, depending on funding. Many of the first recipients of the scheme are now working in healthcare positions in Hutt Valley and the Greater Wellington area.
The aim of the scholarships is to fund tuition and living expenses for people who are entering study in a health-related discipline, or to fund further study for people already in the healthcare sector.
At the awards ceremony, the Minister of Pacific Island Affairs Hon Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga said the scholarships were important not just for the recipients’ careers but for the wider Pacific community.
“It’s not just a career, because what you get are networks of Pacific people serving one community, and I think that’s as important as the employment opportunities that are created through these scholarships.”
Among the scholarship recipients was Taagiilagi Vaafusuaga of Porirua, who is in her second year of nursing.
She said she was enjoying bringing a Pacific perspective to nursing through her training.
“I’m learning a lot about a holistic view of health, which is looking at the whole individual not to treat a disease, but looking at their other values. Family is one of the most important values for Pasifika people. They really need their family around to support them.”
The Pacific Health Unit at Hutt Valley DHB, headed by Tofa Suafole Gush, organised the awards and the presentation ceremony.
Also in attendance at the award ceremony were the interim chief executive of Capital & Coast DHB Debbie Chin (representing Hutt Valley’s chief executive, Graham Dyer, who was on leave); Hutt Valley DHB board members Wayne Guppy and John Terris; Pastor Merita Lau Young and other Pacific community leaders.
The Pacific Health Scholarships began in 2004. They are offered every two or three years depending on funding availability.
Full list of Scholarship winners and area of study
- Amelia Tonu, Naenae: Social Work
- Candice Apelu, Belmont: Health Service Management
- Ellaine Rasch, Miramar: Nursing
- Jemat Vavega Moemua, Stokes Valley: Nursing
- Jonina Tefono, Petone: Nursing
- Jordan Masunu Gush, Wainuiomata: Social policy
- Lavinia Fonokalafi, Stokes Valley: Nursing
- Maggie Felo, Waterloo: Social Work
- Malamalaine Kasiano, Wainuiomata: Psychology
- Misi Onesemo, Porirua: Nursing
- Misikuki Pepa, Wainuiomata: Medical Physics
- Nadia Freeman, Naenae: Public Health
- Rachelle Raynor Time, Kelson: Health Science
- Rosalia Hoffman, Naenae: Exercise Science
- Siaosi Fasipule Mafi, Porirua: Environmental Health
- Siokapesi Alatini, Stokes Valley: Nursing
- Tagiilagi Vaafusuaga, Porirua: Nursing
- Twiggy Johnston: Public Health
- Ofa Veni, Naenae: Health Science
For more information contact:
Chloe Barnes, Communications Advisor – Ph 027 704 7811
