Introduction
Ko Karioi tooku maunga
Ko Waikato tooku awa
Ko Tainui tooku waka
Ko Waikato-Tainui me Ngaai Tahu ooku iwi
Ko Poihakena tooku marae
Ko Ngāti Whawhaakia me Tainui Awhiro ooku hapuu
Ko Charlotte Tukiri tooku ingoa
Kia ora koutou!
I am beyond humbled to write to you all, as I prepare to embark on PMSLA to Chile. As a first year Health Sciences (pre-clinical) student at Waipapa Taumata Rau, indigenous public health is a passion of mine I am eager to grow. I feel honoured to be able to soon engage with Indigenous communities in Chile, and I can’t wait to listen to the whakaaro regarding Indigeneity on their whenua.
Studying at Waipapa Taumata Rau has allowed me to meet individuals of all different walks of life, solidifying the power and beauty of diversity. We all contribute our unique threads of culture to the common web of humanity — PMSLA is an opportunity to expand this web, providing new cultural experiences and perspectives.
I want to pass all I learn from this experience on to the next generation, empowering our rangatahi to dream big and put themselves out of their comfort zones. I owe it to the tuaakana in my life for being my pou whirinaki, supporting me through this kauapapa and others alike.
I can’t wait to share this journey with you all — arohanui ki a koutou!
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Being comfortable with being uncomfortable
Tūwhitia te hopo, mairangatia te angitū – feel the fear and do it anyway! This whakataukī has been a constant in my teenage years, and was particularly important during my first year of University last year. Over the past week, this whakataukī has naturally integrated its way into our conversations and thoughts — it’s a…Continue…
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Humanity and healthcare on the other side of Te Moananui-a-Kiwa
Tangaroa – God of the sea, and all creatures that live within it. The moana heals. My Dad hails from Whaingaroa, where Tangaroa surrounds and protects us and our beautiful rich history and whakapapa. My Mum grew up in Taranaki on the water, where her Father was a keen sailor in the Navy. Living with…Continue…
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Toitū te whenua, toitū te tangata
I acknowledge that the land I stand on is the rightful territory of the Mapuche people. I recognise my position as manuhiri (a visitor) on this land, and write with the intention of honouring the tikanga (protocols) of the Mapuche people. I further recognise the long-lasting effects of colonisation for all Indigenous groups in Chile, and…Continue…