No images? Click here Kia ora, ngā mihi ki a koutou “Ka mahuta a Matariki I te pae, ka mahuta ō tatou tūmanako ki te tau” When Matariki rises above the horizon, our aspirations rise to the year ahead Mānawatia a Matariki The constellation of Matariki stars has guided Māori ocean voyagers throughout history and guides us today as we reflect on the past, celebrate the present and plan for the year ahead. Matariki begins from the first rising of the constellation of stars in late June and celebrates the beginning of the Māori lunar calendar. Matariki is a celebration where we can all join together, be thankful for what is good in our lives, and reflect on the past year. As a highly skilled, strong and connected nursing workforce, positive and passionate about health outcomes for the people and populations we serve, Matariki presents an opportunity for us to come together as one, reconnect with one another, and celebrate the collective work we achieve. The effects of the COVID pandemic will remain with us for some time. Every day we hear stories of the system and the profession under immense strain. And yet every day we also hear stories of the relentless care and professionalism demonstrated by nurses to those who need it most. Despite being exhausted, nurses continue to provide the best care to the public of Aotearoa and for that we thank and acknowledge you. Kei te mihi mātou o te Kaunihera Tāpuhi o Aotearoa ki a koutou katoa mō ā koutou mahi ahakoa te aha i whuia mai i te urutā. The pandemic has created exceptional stress. But it has also strengthened the connections between nursing leaders across education, practice, policy, and regulation. Together we are working to ensure the public receives the best care possible from a highly educated and skilled nursing profession. We recognise that the need to continue growing and developing a diverse, sustainable, and expert workforce is a priority issue for all of us. For nurses new to Aotearoa New Zealand, this may be your first Matariki. Thank you for choosing this country as your new home; we welcome the skill and experience you bring. Nau mai ki Aotearoa nei. We also look forward to welcoming to the profession the cohort of about 700 students who will sit the State Final Examination in July 2022. It is heartening that even in times of strain, so many continue to see the value and importance of a nursing career. As Matariki dawns we acknowledge an outstanding nursing leader, Margareth Broodkoorn (Ngāpuhi and Dutch descent), and her appointment as Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to health and Māori in the recent Queen’s Birthday and Platinum Jubilee Honours. Ms Margareth Broodkoorn Margareth has worked in a variety of senior leadership roles with Māori health and community providers to mentor nurses and support Māori nurses across New Zealand. Margareth is a sponsor of Ngā Manukura o Āpōpō, the national Māori nursing and midwifery clinical leadership workforce programme. In 2019, she became the first Māori to be appointed as Chief Nursing Officer with the Ministry of Health, where she led the Nursing Accord Group, chaired the Well Child Tamariki Ora Advisory Group and oversaw planning of International Year of the Nurse in 2020. During the pandemic, Margareth established and led the Infection Prevention and Control Team for the COVID-19 response, providing clinical guidance on the use of Personal Protection Equipment across the health and disability system. Margareth is the Ahorangi Chief Executive of Hauora Hokianga. We would also like to congratulate Beverly Pownall, who was also made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, and Margaret Fraser and Sandra Borland, who were appointed Members of the Order. Beverly was honoured for her services to health - particularly breastfeeding, Margaret for services to hepatology, and Sandra for services to nursing and the Pacific community. The honours received by Margareth, Beverly, Margaret, and Sandra clearly illustrate and recognise the difference that the nursing profession makes to the lives of everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand. Ngā mihi Matua Peter Jackson (Te Āti Awa, Taranaki) Ngaira Harker (Ngāti Kahungunu) |