21st WONCA World Rural Health Conference, 10-13 April 2026: Read More – WONCA 2026 | Home
In this longitudinal series, we follow the inspiring journey of Tatila Helu, a 6th Year Medical Student and Training Intern deeply committed to rural health. Currently doing her rural GP placement at Kaikoura Healthcare. We begin by exploring her background, achievements, and aspirations and will revisit her journey six months post-graduation to capture her transition into professional practice.
Personal Background
Tatila Helu, of Tongan descent, has a rich cultural heritage with her father hailing from the villages of Ta’anea Vava’u and Lotofoa Ha’apai and her mother from Ha’alalo and Kanokupolu Tongatapu. Growing up in Pukekohe, South Auckland, she moved to Otago for her university studies, becoming the first in her family to attend university.
Tatila’s involvement in rural health began when she learned about the Rural Medical Immersion Programme (RMIP) and attended the National Rural Health Conference 2022 in Taupo, thanks to funding from Hauora Taiwhenua.
This experience inspired her to continue in rural health, leading her to complete the RMIP in the Wairarapa region and for one year. Available for 5th year medical students at the University of Otago, participants are fully immersed in a rural community for the whole year, while still keeping up with the overall curriculum that the rest of the cohort is learning in an urban centre. It is s a unique way of learning directly from communities and a lot more hands on experience compared to learning in an urban centre with rural communities are unique population compared to that of urban.
Hauora Taiwhenua’s initial support also inspired her to take on leadership roles within the Student Rural Health Association (SoRHA), where she now serves as General Co-Chair on its executive committee.
Academic and Professional Journey
In her early years in New Zealand, the concept of rural wasn’t something Tatila had considered, describing how Pukekohe had a little bit of everything. But in terms of healthcare, she recalls how her family had to travel to Manakau or even to Auckland to get treatment. This time and distance to travel seemed normal to her at the time. In hindsight, she recognised these as barriers to accessing health services, prompting her to wonder how the more remote areas of Aotearoa manage. She talks about how this reminded her of Tonga, where underserved communities face similar challenges. Upon moving to New Zealand, there was a perception that it had everything, which yes, may be true in the urban centres. However, it was eye-opening for her to see that even in New Zealand, smaller communities struggle with healthcare access, much like in Tonga.
Driven by a passion for serving under resourced areas, Tatila aims to develop skills to address health needs in remote locations. This year, Tatila has finalised her surgical thesis for BMedSci (Hons) and passed all her major exams, putting her on track to complete her MbCHb degree after seven years of study.
“It’s been a challenging but incredibly rewarding journey,” Tatila shares. “Every step has reinforced my commitment to rural health.”
Role in SoRHA and Conference Involvement
Tatila currently serves as the General Co-Chair of SoRHA, where she leads the executive team in shaping our future rural health professionals. Transitioning from her previous role as Hauora Māori Representative, Tatila has embraced the new role with enthusiasm, focusing on advancing SoRHA’s vision while balancing individual and group capacities.
Tatila emphasises that, despite their roles, academic responsibilities come first:
“At the end of the day, we are students, and our studies come first. We are in these roles because we are passionate and want to help, but we won’t be able to contribute to the cause if we don’t graduate!”
Tatila has focused on strengthening SoRHA’s relationship with Hauora Taiwhenua to amplify their voice. She is committed to establishing a solid foundation for future executive members to build upon, emphasising the importance of stepping forward from those who came before her.
“I want to be the mentor I wish I had, receiving the light and passing it on, leaving the space and position better than when I started.”
Her role also includes sitting on the Hauora Taiwhenua Council, an experience that has been both intimidating and inspiring. Sitting at the same table as individuals she admires has been an honour, and the encouragement she has received has made her feel part of something bigger than just being a student.
The National Rural Health Conference in 2024 was a significant event for SoRHA and its members. For Tatila, it was her third time attending the conference, and she had the honour of addressing the audience on the first day, sharing her story and visions for the future with the large auditorium. Tatila was heartened to receive feedback from those she looked up to, engaging in conversations with older health professionals who were excited and welcoming of the fact that rural youth are inspired and eager to continue pursuing careers in rural healthcare.
One of the highlights of the Conference was reconnecting with the team from Raglan after visiting them for a Noho Marae late last year.
Kaumatua Russell Riki’s words of encouragement, “I’m a proud koro watching you, keep up the good work. You kids are our future, and we appreciate you and are here to support you in everything you do,” were incredibly meaningful to Tatila.
Insights and Experiences
Tatila’s experience in rural health has been marked by building meaningful relationships and networks. Remembered since returning to Kaikoura after visiting in 2023 for a noho marae has reinforced her connection to the close-knit rural community.
The sense of unity among health providers and the collaborative environment in rural settings contrast sharply with the hierarchical make-up often found in urban healthcare. Tatila also spoke of the opportunity to get involved with hands-on training in alternative health practices such as working alongside osteopaths, paramedics and with social workers, as well as community activities such as working attending a mass casualty training exercise.
“These opportunities and experiences that I’ve had because I’m training in rural continually inspire me. Rural communities are dedicated to improving health outcomes despite having limited resources.”
Tatila finds it easier to unwind in rural settings after her clinical work. She is grateful for the support networks available to her, describing how rural settings provide a calm environment to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city, allowing her to plan and then return refreshed.
“Rural settings offer a unique peace that’s hard to find in urban areas,” she notes.
Looking Ahead
As the year progresses, Tatila Helu’s primary goal is to pass all her exams and complete her medical degree, while actively learning skills for her transition into a first-year doctor. Balancing her final months of study with her rural health commitments, she plans to prioritize tasks and delegate responsibilities to her supportive team and colleagues. Tatila’s journey exemplifies the dedication needed for a career in rural health, emphasizing community, collaboration, and continuous learning. We look forward to revisiting her story in six months to see her transition from student to practitioner and to share her continued impact on rural healthcare.
