On Monday 4th of October, we had the first national pilot of the face-to-face Immunisation support worker training.

The Immunisation support worker training was launched at a rural Hauora provider in the beating heart of Whakatāne at Te Puna Ora o Mataatua. Lisa Sillars BOP Covid immunisation Facilitator and our Māori engagement advisor Denise Tahuri facilitated the education session.

Denise Tahuri says that “It was an awesome session, it was special to return home to deliver the pilot and it went well. The face-to-face Immunisation support worker training is a harmonious blend of Kaupapa Māori and clinical expertise and authentically reflect a training package that meets the objectives of the immunisation support worker training in a kaupapa Māori model and delivery.”

Lisa Sillars added that “I loved being able to deliver a clinical immunisation support worker education in partnership with our Māori Engagement Advisor. It was great to see an immunisation education session that centered around Māori history, values and beliefs, and implement it into Māori health models. The group we worked with were engaged and interactive, I wish them all the best in their mahi to lift Māori immunisation rates in NZ.”

Courtney Shaw Kaiarataki Ropū Toitū Rongoa, Toitū Oranga Acting Team Leader, Health & Medical Academy, says that “it was important for Te Puna Ora o Mataatua and IMAC to collaborate as it is a firm step towards this goal of creating a workforce of trained Māori vaccinators and support staff.

“Our kaimahi will work in our swabbing and vaccination teams and in the health sector in general. The training we took part in, comes as an addition to the establishment of our health and medical academy, Toitū Oranga Toitū Rongoā - which is specific to supporting whānau wanting to upskill or join the health workforce.

“It’s important to us to upskill our kaimahi, who are locals of the community, as it ensures we create an environment where whānau feel safe, cared for, and understood.

“All staff who participated got a lot of value from this training, and have been able to take their learnings back into their various teams to better inform not only their individual services but the wider organisation too.”

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