Health careers in focus for rangatahi

Published date26 May 2022
That is the view of Amber Te Tau, who is completing her Bachelor of Science majoring in genetics at Massey University

Te Tau was one of the speakers at the signing of a partnership between Pūhoro STEMM Academy and MidCentral District Health Board this month.

The partnership will open up more opportunities for rangatahi (youth) in the health sector and support ongoing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) development for Māori.

Pūhoro and the DHB agreed to walk alongside each other to support, nurture and develop confidence in rangatahi, and help them succeed with their educational and employment aspirations.

It is Pūhoro’s first health workforce pathway.

Te Tau (Ngāti Kahungunu, Rangitāne) represented the rangatahi of Pūhoro academy at the signing celebration. Her journey with Pūhoro began in 2017 as a Year 12 student at Palmerston North Girls’ High School.

“I joined Pūhoro because I wanted a bit of extra support with my studies, I did not realise how good of a decision that was. Since then, I have been supported through my final years of high school, encouraged to undertake a bachelor’s degree, and offered opportunities I simply could not refuse.”

She said Pūhoro helped her pass her NCEA exams through its tutoring programme. They held wānanga days at Massey where she could interact with other Māori students and explore science in new ways.

“I attended a Year 13 camp where I was exposed to aspects of my culture I had never truly understood. I finally realised how lucky I was to be born Māori. Then they offered me a scholarship to attend university and kept in touch with me while I navigated this new space.”

During her degree, Te Tau did an internship with Fonterra’s research and development centre. “I was surrounded by role models who were in a profession I was passionate about — although I did not realise how passionate I was until I had this experience.”

After her second year, she completed an internship at the Riddet Institute.

“I was given a product development project, and wow. It was awesome. A new team of researchers to look up to, network with, and learn from. With their help I successfully developed a novel hemp-based yoghurt — that’s right, hemp: something I was not aware was possible.”

She felt like a proper scientist.

Last summer, Te Tau returned to the Riddet Institute to aid a PhD student with her genetics-based project.

“I now want to challenge myself with further study and attempt a PhD in the future. I want to express...

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