Te Whare Taumata o Ngā Tauira Taiwhenua O Aotearoa provide a diverse, representative voice for students interested in improving health and wellbeing outcomes for all rural communities.
Our aim is to promote rural health careers to tertiary and pre-tertiary students expressing an interest in studying towards a career in rural health.
Our work involves engaging with schools, tertiary education institutions, rural communities, Māori communities, and the rural health workforce, to form important relationships for the benefit of current and future tertiary students.
We advocate for rural students, particularly rural Māori students, to ensure tertiary institutions continue to utilise policies and entry pathways that produce an equitable health workforce for current and future rural communities.
You do not need to be from a rural community to assist us in our mahi within Hauora Taiwhenua, just passionate in providing equitable health outcomes to rural communities by inspiring the next generation of health professionals.
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Shrina is a final-year Bachelor of Nursing student inspired by her parents’ rural upbringing and a deep commitment to improving health literacy. With a solid background in patient care and a passion for supporting youth, she’s gained valuable experience in various healthcare roles. Shrina also volunteers as a youth mentor and Mental Wellness Support Volunteer. She is driven by a desire to empower patients, advance health equity, and make a meaningful impact on the future of health literacy.
Tēnā koutou ngā tauira o te hauora taiwhenua o Aotearoa,
E mihi ana ki a koutou, ngā kanohi hou, ngā ringa rau o āpōpō, e whakapau kaha ana ki te manaaki i ngā hapori maha o te motu. Ko koutou ngā kaiarataki mō ngā whānau e noho ana ki ngā rohe taiwhenua, e whai ana i te tika me te ora mō te katoa.
Kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui i roto i ā koutou mahi ako me ngā mahi hauora. He mahi whakahirahira kei mua i a koutou, ā, kei konei mātou katoa hei tautoko i a koutou.
Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou mō tō koutou ngākau nui ki te mahi tahi, te mahi pono, me te mahi aroha mō ngā whānau me ngā hapori o Aotearoa.
Ko Angel Loren Harbers tōku ingoa, engari ka kīia hoki ahau ko Anahera Chan.
I was born in Caboolture, Australia, while my three younger sisters were born in Te Tai Tokerau, Aotearoa (New Zealand). E noho ana ahau ki Tāmaki Makaurau, engari ko Houhora tōku kainga.
Tēnei te taha o tōku kuia
Ko Puhangatohora te maunga
Ko Tāheke te awa
Ko Ngātokimatawhaorua te waka
Ko Hokianga te moana
Ko Rāhiri te rangatira
Ko Ngāti Pākau te hapū
Ko Ngāpuhi te iwi
Tēnei te taha o tōku koro
Ko Maunga Piko te maunga
Ko Kurahaupō te waka
Ko Pohurihanga te tangata
Ko Pārengarenga te wahapū
Ko Waitiki te awa
Ko Mareitu te urupā
Ko Te Hāpua te kāinga
Ko Te Hiku o Te Ika te marae
Ko Ngāti Kurī te iwi
I am currently in my fourth year of the Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Auckland. I recently completed my Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours), focusing on Student Experiences of Rural Health Interprofessional Education Programmes: A Photovoice Study. In 2022, I published a paper examining the barriers to accessing diabetes eye screening in rural communities. I am now conducting research, supported by the Auckland Radiology Group, on the challenges of accessing radiological services in Hamilton and Whangārei.
In addition to my academic work, I am currently developing a healthcare start-up aimed at addressing barriers to accessing healthcare in rural areas. This initiative aligns closely with my passion for improving rural, Indigenous, and women’s health outcomes, which are deeply tied to systemic injustices and power imbalances.
I am incredibly excited about joining the SoRHA Exec Committee as Māori Co-chair. This role is an opportunity to advocate for culturally safe healthcare, elevate Māori voices, and help address the systemic inequities faced by rural communities. I look forward to working alongside a passionate team to create meaningful, community-driven solutions.
Ngā manaakitanga ngā mihi nui,
Angel Loren Harbers (Anahera Chan)
I’m Rebekah, a 5th year medical student at the University of Auckland. I come from a rural area called Hira, just outside of Nelson. I’m very excited to be doing my 5th year of medical school on a rural placement in the Bay of Plenty.
I am incredibly passionate about rural health and have done a lot of work in the space. I was the outreach representative in SoRHA last year where I worked on re-organising the role to make it more effective for 2025. I was also the president of Grassroots Rural Health Club – a rural club at the University of Auckland for all FMHS students.
I am committed to increasing support for rural students who want to give back to their communities and work in the rural space, as well as promoting to non-rural students on why they should consider giving rural a go.
I have been an active member and volunteer of Hauora Taiwhenua since I found out about the organisation.
Below is some of the work that I have done with Hauora Taiwhenua prior to my current role: • Rural school visits participant to the Hauraki and Coromandel (2023) • Pukekohe school careers volunteer (2023) • Rural school visits leader to Whangārei and Upper Northland (2024) • Fieldays volunteer (2024) • Optometry careers for rural students webinar co-host (2024)
Needless to say I’m hooked!
My goals as North Island RSV rep for 2025 are: • Promote the rural school visits initiative to more tertiary institutions that offer clinical programmes • Ensure that all RSV volunteers are confident and excited prior to departure • Provide support for RSV volunteers during and after the programme • Ensure that all equipment for the RSV trips have been purchased and organised for ease of use • Ensure that every RSV volunteer has a positive experience!
Looking forward to all of the great things SoRHA will achieve in 2025!
Kia Ora! My name is Durrane and I am super excited to be the North Island Outreach Rep for SoRHA 2025. I am a fourth-year Optometry student at The University of Auckland. I am originally from Pakistan but have been in New Zealand for 9 years now! I have always been interested in rural health and want to work rurally in New Zealand after graduating, especially after learning about all the health inequities in eye care. My passion for rural health made me apply for the Rural School Visits trip and SoRHA has me hooked ever since! I have done Fields Days and Optometry Webinars with SoRHA and HT as their goals resonate with me. I am looking forward to working with the amazing team and making it a great year for SoRHA!”
I’m a 5th year Otago med student. Next year I’m doing the rural immersion programme in Greymouth so really looking forward to seeing rural health in action and exploring the coast. I’ve been involved in rural school trips and noho marae and loved it so eager to contribute on the exec team as the South Island outreach rep.
Can’t wait for an exciting year with some good mahi to be done.
Eric Seo is a third-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS3) student at the University of Otago with a deep passion for rural health. Actively considering a career in this vital area, Eric has participated in four Rural Health Careers Programs, including serving as a team leader. His commitment to rural health was further solidified through a recent webinar where he presented on the role of dentistry in underserved communities. Outside of his academic pursuits, Eric brings a wealth of leadership experience. He serves as Co-President of the Otago University Korean Students’ Association (OUKSA), Secretary of the Otago University International Students’ Association (OISA), and an International Ambassador for the university. Additionally, Eric previously served as the Class Representative for BDS2. His volunteer work at North Shore Hospital further highlights his dedication to community health and service. Eric is excited to join the SoRHA Executive Committee, aiming to advocate for rural health and contribute to improving the wellbeing of communities across Aotearoa.
Tēnā koutou ngā tauira o te Hauora Taiwhenua o Aotearoa, nō Haina ōku tipuna, ko Baiyun te maunga, ko Zhujiang he te awa, Ko Yiling tōku ingoa, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.
I am Elaine, a 4th-year optometry student at the Waipapa Taumata Rau/University of Auckland, passionate about improving rural health equity. Since my rural school visit, I have been excited for more opportunities to engage with the rural community, including selecting an honours project that evaluates the rural optometry workforce intentions and co-develops rural placement learning outcomes.
I look forward to continuing promoting our kaupapa as one of the Hauora Māori representatives, advocating for more Māori health and learning in healthcare, and supporting Māori students towards a future in healthcare. I cannot wait for the Noho Marae trips in 2025 and am grateful to help foster a culturally safe and equitable healthcare environment.
