Nursing ākonga field trip

Nursing ākonga took their learning out of the classroom and into the community recently and visited Te Paepae O Te Raukura at Parihaka and Te Whare Hononga as part of their Taranaki Hauora studies.

The course is focused on analysing the health experience of Māori and the possible explanations for health disparities and how they can apply key concepts of Hauora Māori when working with the diversity of whānau.

“Our ākonga are fortunate to have a generous community of people willing to share their experiences and those of their ancestors to help ākonga make sense of Hauora Māori today,” says WITT Te Pūkenga Senior Nursing Lecturer Tara Malone.

Called into Te Paepae O Te Raukura, with karanga from Whaea Maata Wharehoka and Whaea Jean Hikaka the scene was set for a day of learning.

“Kōrero focussed on the role and responsibilities of ākonga as nurses and agents of the Crown, the importance of name pronunciation and the meaning of a bicultural relationship,” says Tara.

Following whānaungatanga and kai, ākonga watched Tātarakihi – the Children of Parihaka and ended the day with a hikoi led by Whaea Jean and her mokopuna around the pāpakainga with a poroporoake at the monument of Te Whiti-o-Rongomai.

The next day’s visit to Te Whare Hononga, the striking new whare standing adjacent to the Taranaki Cathedral, started with a karanga from Dee-Anna Ritai-Te Awa and an exploration of Taranaki history led by Rob Green from Taranaki Heritage. Former tutor of the course, Dee-Anna now works at Tui Ora.

“The discussion was centred around reconciliation as ākonga listened to the stories of how Te Whare came about, including the significance of kaumatua and the Archdeacon Tikituterangi 'Tiki' Raumati’s burial on the cathedral grounds,” says Tara.

The Taranaki Hauora course is taught by tutor Tara Malone, tauiwi and tangata Tiriti, and supported by kaimahi Māori, Allana, Shelton and Tuari from the Kaitakawaenga Team, Maatakiri from the School of Māori Enterprise Business Technology and community leader Dinnie Moeahu.

“I am grateful for the korowai of awhi provided by Dee-Anna Ritai Te Awa who previously led and coordinated the course,” says Tara.