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- Congratulations to our 2016 Pacific Mental Health and Addictions Scholarship recipients
Congratulations to our 2016 Pacific Mental Health and Addictions Scholarship recipients
One of the pre-conference workshops at #GPS2016 was for recipients of a 2016 Pacific Mental Health and Addictions Scholarship. It focussed on their personal and professional development, as well as their responsibilities as a scholarship recipient.
This workshop was called ‘Activate your Human Superpowers’ and was delivered by Amanda Fleming, an expert personal and professional development coach.
The workshop content was designed to support recipients to reach their personal fulfilment by identifying and activating the five potent human skills (or “powers”) for high functioning – transforming how they see and work, and supporting their conscious evolution personally and professionally.
Le Va’s purpose is to support Pasifika families and communities to unleash their full potential, and the workshop was very much aligned to this purpose!
Recipients were then celebrated during the GPS conference itself, being among the VIP guests of honour at the conference dinner, where they formally received their 2016 Scholarship from the Associate Minister of Health, Hon Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, Ministry of Health Pacific Advisor Matafanua Hilda Fa’asalele, Acting Director of Health Workforce NZ, Margareth Attwood and Derek Thompson, the Mental Health and Addictions Team Leader at the Ministry of Health.
The dinner hosted more than 250 guests, with recipients, their families and friends, and conference participants coming together to enjoy the evening.
Le Va would like to extend its congratulations again to all the 2016 Pacific Mental Health and Addictions scholarships recipients.
Ananda Ikurere
Ananda is currently studying towards a National Certificate of Mental Health and Addiction at Whitireia Community Polytechnic. Based in Porirua, Ananda is of Cook Island and Samoan descent and is currently working as a volunteer in the Like Minds, Like Mine Project for Vaka Tautua.
Aurand Tou
Aurand hails from Hamilton and is of Cook Island descent. Currently studying at the University of Waikato, Aurand is undertaking a Bachelor of Social Science majoring in Psychology. His ultimate goal is to create and implement psychological interventions to empower Pasifika in overcoming mental illness.
Christina Betty Su’a
Christina resides in Auckland and is on her way towards achieving a Bachelor of Counselling with Laidlaw College with an interest particularly in the effects abuse, domestic violence and relationship breakdowns on the mental health and wellbeing of individuals. She is of Samoan descent and currently works for Youthline as a call centre operator.
David (Fritz) Tuaa
David hails from Auckland and is of Samoan descent. He is currently in his second year of the Applied Social Work degree at Manukau Institute of Technology. Through personal experience and studies, his insights into mental health, addictions disability sparked his interest to work in the Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit of Middlemore Hospital.
Eliakim Uasi-Fononga
Eliakim is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Social Work at Te Wananga o Aotearoa. Based in Auckland, Eliakim is of Tongan descent and is currently supporting mental health service users and their family through his role as a support worker for Framework Intensive Support Service.
Elijah Lesatele
Elijah resides in Auckland and is on his way towards achieving a Bachelor of Addiction Studies with WELTEC. He is of Samoan descent with a heart to actively support people affected by substance abuse particularly young Maori and Pacific people.
Feleti Piva
Feleti grew up in Wellington and is currently residing in Mt Maunganui. Feleti is of Samoan descent and is seeking employment in the addictions sector after completing his Diploma of Applied Addictions at Moana House Training Institute.
Frances Tui
Frances is of Samoan descent and resides in Auckland. He is currently studying at Te Wananga o Aotearoa, working towards completing a Bachelor of Bicultural Social Work. At present, Frances works for Framework Trust as an Intensive Support Worker in mental health.
Fredrick Lalogafau
Fredrick is an Alcohol and Other Drugs Clinician at Moana House in Dunedin. Fredrick is of Samoan descent and is on his way to completing Te Taketake Bridging Course with Moana House Training Institute.
Fuailelagi Samoa Saleupolu Heger
Fuailelagi resides in Wellington and is working towards completing a Master of Counselling at Massey University. She is of Samoan descent and currently working with the Problem Gambling Foundation of NZ as a Central region practice leader.
Hu’avai Mafi
Hu’avai hails from Auckland and is of Tongan descent. Currently studying at the University of Auckland, Hu’avai is working towards completing a Bachelor of Social Work with aspirations to work in the mental health sector.
Ieremia Leilua
Ieremia is of Samoan descent and is passionate about working in the mental health and addictions sectors. The Aucklander is in his final year of completing his Applied Social Work degree at the Manukau Institute of Technology.
Junior Muagutuia
Junior is a senior community support worker at Framework Trust. With 11 years’ experience in the sector, Junior is proactive in obtaining a leadership role with mainstream services. Junior is of Samoan descent and is currently working towards completing a Bachelor of Social Work with Te Wananga o Aotearoa in Auckland.
Kimberley Tuitoga
Kimberley resides in Dunedin and is of Fijian descent. Kimberley is currently working towards becoming a Psychologist specialising in mental health. She is studying towards a Masters in Science, majoring in Psychology at the University of Otago.
Leonia Mulipola
Leonia is from Auckland and of Samoan descent. Currently studying at the Manukau Institute of Technology, Leonia is completing her Bachelor of Nursing, looking to specialise as a psychiatric nurse.
Makoni Havea
Makoni resides in Auckland and is on her way towards completing a Master of Nursing at the University of Auckland. Makoni is of Tongan descent and currently works as a mental health specialist registered nurse for Whirinaki child and adolescent mental health at CMDHB, and primary mental health care at Langimalie.
Naomi Tatonga
Naomi is of Kiribati descent and currently resides in Dunedin. Naomi is studying at the University of Otago, working towards completing a Posgraduate Diploma in Rehabilitation.
Paenga Lauaki
Paenga is currently studying towards a Postgraduate Certificate of Health Science at the University of Auckland. Based in Auckland, Paenga is of Tongan descent and is currently working as a nurse specialist at Whirinaki, child and adolescent mental health services, Counties-Manukau DHB.
Patricia Klyn
Patricia is from Wellington and of Samoan descent. Currently studying at Whitireia Polytechnic, Patricia is working towards completing a National Certificate of Mental Health and Addiction. At present, Patricia works as a project assistant in the Like Minds, Like Mine Project for Vaka Tautua.
Penisimasi Langi
Penisimasi is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Counselling at Laidlaw College. Based in Auckland, Penisimasi is of Tongan descent and currently works as a health promoter and counsellor for Problem Gambling Foundation of NZ.
Raniera Te Tawhiti Drew Kingi
Raniera hails from Auckland and is a mixture of Tongan, Samoan and Maori descents. Raniera is working towards being a clinical psychologist particularly within the New Zealand Defence Force. He is well underway to achieving this as he undertakes a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology at the University of Auckland.
Ritia (Lisa) Tioti
Ritia is interested in working as a registered in nurse in the mental health sector. She is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Nursing Pacific at Whitireia Polytechnic. Based in Porirua, Ritia is of Kiribati descent and is currently working for Bupa Rest Home as a caregiver.
Sailauama Talamivao
Sailauama aims to be a mental health worker, utilising academic learnings, life experience and cultural knowledge to Pasifika wellbeing. Sailauama is in her final year of study of her Applied Social Work degree at the Manukau Institute of Technology. She is of Samoan descent and resides in Auckland.
Sarah McLean
Sarah resides in Auckland and is on her way to achieving a Postgraduate Certificate of Health Science at the University of Auckland, majoring in mental health. Sarah is of Samoan descent and was also a semi-finalist for the University of Auckland Young New Zealander of the Year Awards held earlier in the year.
Sesilia Pongi
Sesilia is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Social Work at Te Wananga o Aotearoa aspiring to work closely with young service users. Sesilia is of Tongan descent and resides in Auckland. Currently, she works as a health navigator for ProCare.
Toma Petelo
Toma resides in Christchurch and is on his way to completing a Postgraduate Diploma of Health Management at the University of Otago. He has a wealth of experience in the mental health and addictions sector. Toma is of Samoan descent and currently works for The Salvation Army as a lead facilitator.
Veisinia Lakai
Veisinia hails from Auckland and is of Tongan and Fijian descents. She hopes to serve the Pacific community as a clinical psychologist. Currently studying at Massey University, Veisinia is working towards completing a Master of Science, majoring in health psychology.
Adrienne Fruean
Adrienne hails from New Plymouth and is currently studying at the University of Otago, working towards completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science (addictions & co-existing disorders). At present, Adrienne works as a senior co-existing problems clinician for Tui Ora.
Maria Lucas
Maria resides in Dunedin and is of Kiribati descent. Maria is studying at the Open Polytechnic, working towards a Diploma in Applied Mental Health.
Te Hiwi Preston
Te Hiwi resides in Whangarei and is a combination of Tahitian and Maori descents. Te Hiwi currently studies at Auckland University of Technology, working towards completing a Postgrraduate Diploma in Health Science (addictions). At present, Te Hiwi works for NorthTec as a Maori and Pacific advisor.
Florencenitinggale Lemisio
Florencenitinggale is currently studying towards a Diploma in Health Psychology as well as a Certificate in Health Wellbeing and Health Assistance. She is of Fotuna descent and resides in Wellington. At present, she works as a caregiver for the Britannia House.
Talapati Fesola’i
Talapati is of Samoan descent and currently resides in Auckland. Talapati is working towards completing a National Certificate of Mental Health and Addiction.
Lesieli Kalatiolatina Tino
Lesieli is from Auckland and of Tongan descent. With her mental health professional experience, Lesieli is undertaking a first year of Social Work at Te Wananga o Aotearoa.
Kirifi Kirifi
Kirifi is of Tokelauan decent and resides in Wellington. Kirifi currently works as a Community Support Worker for IDEA Services who are advocates for those with intellectual disabilities. He is studying at Whitireia, working towards achieving a Bachelor of Social Work.
Corey Senelale
Corey hails from Dunedin and is of Samoan descent. Corey is currently studying at Moana House Training, working towards the completion of a Diploma in Applied Addictions Counselling. Corey currently works as hunga manaaki for Downie Stewart Moana House.
Faatili Jr Toala
Faatili resides in Auckland and is of Samoan descent. Currently studying at Manukau Institute of Technology, Faatili is working towards completing a Bachelor of Applied Social Work.
Ruta Aaitui
Ruta is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Social Science (Counselling) at Manukau Institute of Technology. Ruta is of Samoan descent, resides in Auckland and aims to work as a counsellor with those serving time in prison.
Toilalo Lemalu
Toilalo lives in Auckland and is currently studying at AUT towards completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science specialising in mental health and addictions. Toilalo is of Samoan descent and, at present, works as a social worker for Faleola Pacific Mental Health Service.
Valoa–Valoa Jack
Valoa is of Cook Island descent and hails from Invercargill. At present, Valoa is working towards the completing a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Psychology at Massey University. He currently works for Adventure Development as a counsellor.
Corrine Webb
Corrine resides in Hamilton and is of Cook Island descent. She is a fast-track recipient currently studying towards completing a Master of Applied Psychology at The University of Waikato.
Alapua Poasa
Alapua is currently studying towards the completion of a Graduate Diploma in Addiction, Alcohol and Drugs at WELTEC. Alapua is of Samoan descent and hails from Wellington. She currently works as a counsellor at Taeaomanino Trust.
Mathew Faleuka
Mathew is of Niuean descent and resides in Auckland. Mathew is currently studying towards completing a Bachelor of Addictions at WELTEC. At present, Mathew works as a counsellor for TUPU services at Waitemata District Health Board.
Athena Tapu
Athena hails from Auckland and is of Samoan descent. Currently studying Psychotherapy, a field where there is a shortage of Pacific people in the workforce. Athena is working towards completing her Master of Psychotherapy qualification at AUT.
Anne-Marie Erick
Anne-Marie is currently studying towards a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Therapy at the University of Auckland. Anne-Marie is of Niuean descent and resides in Auckland, where she also works as a service coordinator for Spectrum Care.
Raudinc Samoa
Raudinc is of Samoan descent and works as a senior support worker at Capital Coast DHB. After completing his mental health and addictions support course, he continues to develop his knowledge and experience in the sector. Raudnic is working towards completing his Social Work degree at Whitireia.
Christopher Murray
Christopher is of Samoan and European descent who is in his final year of completing his Doctorate of Clinical Psychology at the University of Auckland. At present, Christopher is working at Whirinaki, CMDHB as an intern clinical psychologist.
Sonia Pope
Sonia hails from Auckland and is of Samoan descent. Sonia is studying towards a Master in Education – Educational Psychology at the University of Auckland, where she also works as a tuakana tutor at the University as well.
Peati Mene-Vaele
Peati is of Samoan descent from Christchurch. Her career pathway is to ultimately become a clinical psychologist. Peati is currently undertaking postgraduate study in psychology at the University of Canterbury.