Māori physiotherapy students spend day in korero with alumni

Around 30 second, third and fourth-year Māori physiotherapy students met with fellow University of Otago School of Physiotherapy Māori alumni, both in person and online recently.

School of Physiotherapy Associate Dean Māori Katrina Pōtiki Bryant (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha) says it was very exciting to host this alumni event. The School of Physiotherapy had received equity funding from the University’s Office of Māori Development to offer a Tuakana/Teina mentoring system for potential, current and graduated students, creating closer connections for Otago Māori Physiotherapy students and alumni.

“This initiative aims to be the catalyst for our next generation to rapidly upskill in the leadership and community engagement skills they will need in addition to their clinical training. This will also encourage both students and alumni to consider their future research pathways and gather valuable information for future curriculum development, so that all Physiotherapy students can work well with our communities.”

The inaugural event happened at the Hunter Centre on Friday, 25 August. Lower Hutt based graduate, Sydney Hynes, and a fourth-year student who was working alongside her in the Hutt hospital Zoomed in to share their experiences.

Bryant says, “it will provide a network for Māori students and graduates to connect and meet some of our supportive, knowledgeable Māori alumni, as they move to working within the profession. It’s a great day to have a kōrero and ask lots of questions of practicing Māori physiotherapists, specifically around the realities faced when wanting to work as Māori and for our Māori communities. This is hoped to also encourage and create strong advocacy for the students of Otago University School of Physiotherapyand enable ongoing engagement with our future Māori Physiotherapy leaders.”

She added that she was impressed by the students organising much of the day themselves. In addition, Owen Draper, (Kaiawhina Māori/Māori student support at the School of Physiotherapy) worked closely with the students to put the event together.

Māori alumni attending included Tali Wilson-Munday (Ngāpuhi ki Whaingaroa-Ngāti Kahu ki Whaingaroa, Ngāti Kahungunu), Matt Carrington (Whakatōhea, Ngāti Paoa), and Rachel Parker (who is Owen Draper’s mother).

Second-year Māori physiotherapy rōpū (Ngā Raukura o Tāne Whakapiripiri) representative Anaru Anderson (Te Aupōuri) says the day was a great chance to meet other Māori students and gain insights from those working in the field. It’s hoped that the Māori physiotherapy alumni kōrero will become an annual event, and gradually grow with time.