Māori Health Tertiary Education Opportunities
Students 2008 on their first block course at
Nga Wai o Horotiu, AUT University Marae
Te Rau Matatini is the national Māori health workforce development organisation that aims to develop Māori health workers to support and enhance whānau ora, mental health and wellbeing.
Te Rau Matatini was established in 2002 and coordinates a range of national workforce development, training, career pathway, research, policy, scholarship and bursary programmes. These programmes are often targeted towards current or future workers in health, mental health and addictions.
More information about Te Rau Matatini programmes can be found on their website (www.matatini.co.nz) or call toll-free on 0800 MATATINI.
Where is the need?
With the growing number of Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) throughout the country, new and real opportunities exist for greater recognition of mental health needs at an early stage by primary health staff. Rawiri Evans, Project Leader at Te Rau Matatini, believes the lack of primary mental health training opportunities to support this is a concern for the wider picture of health service delivery.
Rawiri says that mental health promotion and recognition has so much to offer in terms of improving the health of Māori communities. "Mental health is a key issue for all families and communities and we need more Māori working in all health disciplines and gaining qualifications in this area."
Te Rau Matatini offers a number of bursaries and scholarships to support health, mental health and addiction studies.
Tui Tui Tuia Bursaries
Te Rau Matatini offers fifteen $2,000 bursaries for those working in primary health care environments (including PHO's, marae and community services) with whānau and whaiora. This programme prepares health professionals from diverse backgrounds for work in primary mental health organisations and for further graduate and postgraduate study.
The Tui Tui Tuia bursaries support enrolment in AUT University Te Ara Hauora Māori, Māori health path, Graduate Certificate in Health Science and pays for tuition fees and accommodation.
The Graduate Certificate takes 2 years to complete and consists of the following papers:
- Māori Health and Development (Level 5, entry paper)
- Applied Māori Primary Mental Health (Level 7)
- Māori Health Promotion (Level 7)
- Utilising Supervision in Practice (Level 7)
Each paper requires attendance at three weekend block courses in Auckland each semester. Overnight accommodation on a self-serve basis is provided for students at Nga Wai o Horotiu, AUT University marae on AUT's City campus, which is also the venue for classes. After completion of the Graduate Certificate pathways exist to Graduate Diploma in Addictions or Postgraduate programmes.
The Graduate Certificate has been running for two years. In the
initial year ten students enrolled and in the second year fifteen
students enrolled. The first students to come through this course
of study will graduate in the AUT Autumn graduation ceremony 2009.
Current students are employed in different roles around the country
from Christchurch to the Far North.
Anaru Moke is studying on this programme and is a first in his whānau he works for Tamaiti Whangai in Lower Hutt and works with youth at risk in his local area.
"Don't be scared and take that step kia kaha" are his words to encourage whānau to take up the challenge to study. He also supports the value of role modeling within his community as the key to gaining better health for all.
Completing the Graduate Certificate will enhance their understanding and allow them to put their practical experience and knowledge into an academic framework. It is also a chance to share their knowledge with a wider group of people.
"The partnership of AUT University with Te Rau Matatini has allowed this important higher education initiative in Māori Mental health to be developed," says Kate Haswell, Associate Dean (Māori Health), AUT.
"Access for Māori mental health workers throughout Aotearoa to the AUT programme is facilitated through our joint efforts, community connections and a shared commitment to Māori success."
Where can you go for more information?
For course information, please contact:
Debra Spinetto
Programme Information Advisor
Ph: (09) 921 9735
dspinett@aut.ac.nz
For more bursary information or an application, please contact:
Kathy Fernandez
0800 MATATINI (628284)
(04) 473 9591
training@matatini.co.nz
Closing date for applications is 28th November 2008. No late applications will be accepted.
