Inspiring Maori to find healthy alternative

Catherine Page's job is wide-ranging. Photo / Grame Sedal

Arts degrees offer a broad range of subjects. The University of Auckland Arts degree has more than 50 subject choices, including political studies, linguistics, mathematics, creative writing, anthropology, film studies and languages. Arts degrees develop key skills of critical thinking, problem solving and a high level of oral and written communication skills.

Many arts graduates continue into postgraduate studies, either developing their knowledge in a particular area (as Catherine Page did below) or entering a professional course. BA students frequently do double degrees. Arts degrees are offered through all New Zealand universities, except Lincoln University.

GRADUATE

Catherine Page

* 22
* Workforce development co-ordinator: Maaori Health Services
* Counties Manukau District Health Board
* Completed qualification: November 2008
* Starting salary: $40,000 to $50,000

I help co-ordinate Taiohi Towards Health, a secondary school-based programme targeting Maori students from Year 10. The aim is to increase the number of students taking science in Year 13 and promoting health studies to tertiary level with the hope they'll eventually choose to work at Middlemore Hospital.

We have 10 schools working with us - both wharekura (total immersion) and mainstream schools. We also network with health professionals and tertiary students. I work with teachers on programmes running outside school such as tours through universities, workshops and Middlemore Hospital to show how science is applied in health careers. So I have to relate and engage with people at all levels.

I do a lot of tracking, monitoring and networking and I'm involved in project management through organising events. There is an element of strategic thinking needed in the job .

In high school I had been thinking about doing communications involving Maori but I wasn't sure enough to do a specialised degree in communications so I did a BA.

I started learning Te Reo Maori through Northcote College's whanau unit. I enrolled in a BA in Maori Studies because I would need Te Reo Maori to work in Maori development. I'm at conversational level now. My aim was to work in the public sector for a Maori-based organisation, working towards the advancement of Maori people.

I did a range of other papers including social policy and political science. This gave me theoretical knowledge about Maori development, including knowledge of policy and of the public sector and how it functions.

I did honours because I wanted to study at a more challenging level. I also felt I needed to stand out by taking my study to a higher level; it definitely helped me get this job. My dissertation was on the representation of Maori women in local government. It is surprising how under-represented women are, let alone Maori women.

I wasn't interested in politics when I started my degree, but a first-year political science paper opened up my thinking.

In my last year of study I had a part-time job at the Waitemata DHB as a personal assistant to the general manager of Maori health and one job was to review Maori workforce development plans throughout the country and that got me interested in this area.

Although I didn't have a science background, I could see lot of non-clinical roles that I was qualified for and realised I could work in Maori health.

I'm enjoying working in the community and inspiring young Maori to become further educated, and believe in and take control of their careers.

Because I don't come from a clinical background, my biggest challenge is getting my head around all the different areas in health. I'm working hard on that - there are such a vast number of roles.

MANAGER

Tuhakia Keepa

* Maaori workforce development programme manager at Counties Manukau District Health Board

Catherine is doing a great job, especially for someone who has only been here a short time. I believe this reflects the study she has done and her other work experience. And, yes, it is typical in our field to not have a science background - I studied economics.

The key thing in Maori workforce development is to understand the issues and challenges confronted by the workforce, understand strategy and work with it.

Catherine and the other co-ordinators need to be able to identify issues and approaches and research to find ways to put plans into place that address those issues - and do this in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders. They then need to find ways to measure progress because, when you initiate programmes with Year 10 students, you don't necessarily see outcomes until Year 13 and beyond.

We work with a range of stakeholders including industry services, community providers, school career advisers, science teachers, students and tertiary institutions with health-related courses. So a lot of co-ordinating is involved to bring stakeholders together.

The renaissance of Maori language in New Zealand has impacted in the education system through total immersion schools. To approach these schools we have to be able to converse in Maori and have an understanding of tikanga Maori protocols. Catherine has that ability and it is a key skill in being able to work with Maori schools and Maori organisations.

Co-ordinators also need good oral and written communication skills. Although writing in an organisation like this is different from academic writing, such skills are transferable and Catherine has strong communication skills.

TRAINING PLACE

Qualification: Bachelor of Arts Honours: Maori Studies and BA in Maori Studies and History.
Where: University of Auckland.
Contact: 0800 61 62 63; asc@auckland.ac.nz; www.arts.auckland.ac.nz
Entry requirements: NCEA University Entrance plus 120 points from top 80 credits over five subjects.
Length: Three years full-time with part-time options.
2010 closing date: December 8.
2009 fees: $4416-$5890 pa for eight papers. Honours papers cost more, ranging from $590 to $1930 a paper (2010 fees not yet set).