Dr Mataroria Lyndon working as a pubic health doctor at Middlemore hospital. Also he is Clinical Director and Co Founder at Tend.nz

Click on the picture to read more about his work

Joe Pomelile working as a physiotherapist at Middlemore hospital

My name is Siō (Joe) Pomelile. I am a registered and practising physiotherapist for 4 years now. I spent a very short time of my schooling years in Tangaroa college (Year 11 - half of 2009) BUT I’m still a proud former student of T.C! I may have not been aware of the health science academy (HSA) while I was still in Tangaroa, but I’m glad the HSA was an option in my final years of schooling. I was interested in taking up Physiotherapy due to the many injuries I had while playing sports. I have had numerous opportunities to work with various sports team and travelled with my career. I also have freedom over my time which allows me to also pursue a sporting career in Olympic Weightlifting. The overall purpose of my career at the moment is to serve the community. Helping people understand their injuries and how to better manage their injuries long term has been rewarding in so many ways.

If you have a natural tendency to care about people in your family and community, I encourage you join the health academy. You can add value to our community’s health and well being by choosing a career in health. The health sector is a huge field, therefore, HSA, will be able to best point you in the right path that suits your individual purpose. I look forward to seeing and serving alongside a lot more of our young Pasifika people.

Malo ‘Aupito.

Luma Tiatia is a self-employed Midwife working within the Counties Manukau area.

In my role as a Self-employed Midwife, we care for the woman during her pregnancy, labour/birth and six weeks postnatal (after baby is born). So we're there for the woman and baby for quite a significant period of time.

I studied at Wintec in Hamilton. But in Auckland you can study at AUT South Campus. The degree is 4 years (was 3 years previously). There's also clinical assessments we have to do alongside essays etc. Once you've got your qualification you have to sit a national exam (like the nurses state exam) to become a registered Midwife.

What motivated me to stay in my chosen health career was trying to improve the health outcomes for Maori/Pacific women and their babies. I find that when people know that you're from South Auckland they genuinely interact better with you.

Elisara Tiatia is currently working as a Youth Health Social worker.

Talofa, I currently am employed as Youth Health Social Worker at the 'Centre for Youth Health - Kidz First Community Health'. This is part of Counties Manukau Health (CMDHB) This is a specialist adolescence service that work alongside young people and their families between the ages of 12-24yrs with Chronic Health Conditions that require specialist and ongoing support within the community.

Health was not my preferred field of practice in Social Work - but one field that i have come to grow a passion in. The amount of learning in the field has grown my Kete of Knowledge, skills and experience as a Social Worker.

There is a huge need for Pasifika health workers within Health Social Work especially with the large Pasifika community in Counties Manukau.

Being the only Pasifika Allied Health staff member in the service calls for passionate young people at TC to pursue a career in Health to help our Maori and Pasifika families.

Graham Jackson working as a MASSIS Social Worker for Strive community trust

Hi my name is Graham Jackson and I am currently working as one of the social workers based here at Tangaroa through Strive community trust.

I am full Niuean, happily married to my beautiful Samoan wife with two daughters. I am an ex-student of Tangaroa College and a proud born and raised Otara resident.

When I finished school I didn’t really know what I wanted to do so I went and studied at Auckland University and failed miserably. After that I went and worked at the warehouse for a few years until I knew what I wanted to do.

I knew I liked working alongside people and a friend of mine suggested social work as an area to study to become a social worker.

Social work is a rewarding fulfilling job and I encourage you to seek what you really want to do before pursuing further study. Even if that means taking a break, DO IT!

If you want to know more about becoming a social worker come over and have a chat with us in the Kimiora health centre, our door is always open.

Julienne Faletau is currently working as a Health analyst at Counties Manukau District Health Board.

She has graduated with PhD at the University of Auckland, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences. Her research was focused at Pacific Health.

Mālō e lelei, my name is Julienne Faletau. I’m of Tongan descent hailing from Hala Tu’i, Nuku’alofa; Lakepa, Tongatapu and Taunga, Vava’u and I currently reside in Otara, South Auckland. I am a previous student of Tangaroa College and was the Head Girl in 2005.

I’m currently a PhD Candidate at the University of Auckland, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, School of Population Health. My PhD research explores prediabetes and health risk communication in Tongan people with prediabetes. I hold a Master’s in Public Health (Honours) and a Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences. I’ve previously worked at the Pasifika Medical Association as the health workforce development officer in the Healthcare Heroes programme and I was briefly involved in the Health Science Academy through this role. I also worked as a research officer at AUT Universities, Pacific Islands Family Study, before I started my PhD.

My research interests include the health of Pacific people’s especially the Tongan community in NZ and the Pacific region. My previous research has examined the impact of cataracts on poverty in the Kingdom of Tonga and tobacco smoking and cessation in Pacific and Māori communities in NZ. I have an interest in public health, Pacific health and research methodologies and intend to combine teaching with ongoing research with Pacific communities to influence positive change in health outcomes.

As you can probably tell, my academic and professional journey in the health sector is extensive but fulfilling. What motivated me to stay in my chosen career in health is the chance to make a difference in our Pacific communities on a larger scale and to be the voice that translates our Pacific voices on health issues that matter. It’s been rewarding because I get to talk to people, see what their real health needs are and develop solutions to how we can improve their health and wellbeing. Be it through practical changes in health outcomes, or social and economic policies through evidence based research.

If you’re interested in a career in health, the opportunities are endless. The health sector includes both clinical and non-clinical roles – and both are equally important. The Health Science Academy is a great initiative to help you achieve your goals and help you prepare for your career in health in the future. As our Pacific and Māori population grow, their health needs grow too and we need more healthcare professionals alike.

I look forward to seeing more of you in the health sector in the near future!

Tu’a ‘Ofa Atu