About

Ringa Atawhai Mātauranga was established specifically to meet the challenges of an aging population and inequalities in health status by supporting improved outcomes for students, employers, and communities in the health related sector and on improving the responsiveness of training to their needs.

Some issues of concern that Ringa Atawhai Mātauranga PTE
aims to address include:

Eighty-three percent of employees in public
health positions have some tertiary
qualifications, but only a low percentage, have
specific qualifications in public health.

There is no united public health voice to
influence curriculum development in education and
training.

The public health workforce needs increased
skills and expertise to lead health sector and
community
action to promote and improve health and reduce
inequalities.

There are significant inequities in the
availability of, and access to, training.

There is little collaboration between training
providers, or between the public health sector and
tertiary education providers.

A large proportion of the provider workforce is
unregulated, with little or no professional
infrastructure, standards or career pathways.

The History of Ringa Atawhai

1986

A group of people sat around a heater in Nellie Para’s garage and made the decision to form Ringa Atawhai Trust. This followed the first training programme for community health workers, which was delivered from Kotahitanga Marae – Kaikohe.

1986 to 2014

Community Health Workers training continues throughout Te Taitokerau.

1986 to 2014

Healthy lifestyle hui promoted throughout the community.

2013

Health and Disability certification achieved.

2014

NZQA registration and accreditation achieved. Ringa Atawhai Mātauranga established.

2015

2015 National Certificate of Hauora
Maori delivered.

2016 NZ Certificate Public Health
commences.

2017 NZ Certificate Kaupapa Maori
Public Health commences.

Testimonials

The Certificate in Public Health and Health Promotion that is delivered by Ringa Atawhai is a brilliant tohu to attain in any health sector journey. It has provided me with an academic confirmation of the different challenges that are presently being experienced by not only Maori, but all peoples in New Zealand. The delivery of the programme in a kaupapa Maori space was effective for me as it sustained my personal tikanga journey and connected mainstream learnings in a Maori environment.

My favourite thing about Ringa Atawhai was the importance placed on Whanaungatanga, like when the Board members, staff and the past students came to support our first day powhiri. The tutors really helped me make sense of the formal academic course material, especially by using group discussions and fun activities that connected me with my classmates. I found the block courses a great way to get the assignments done and our public health event was an absolutely amazing, creative, fun and positive way to turn all our learning into action. I definitely feel more empowered to engage with public health issues and confident to follow the Te Pae Mahutonga model as a best practice approach.

The learning environment suited my learning style.

Now my job makes sense.

We need more of this. I didn't want the programme to end.

I didn't know what I didn't know until now

Outstanding tutors

Manaakitanga in action

Awesome course, best I have ever been too!