Aniva, a programme delivered by Pacific Perspectives, supports Pacific nurses and midwives to gain post-graduate qualifications from certificate to Master’s level—and celebrated the graduation of 50 students on International Nurses Day, Friday 12 May.

The ceremony celebrated the achievements of the 48 senior nurses and two senior midwives who completed their studies during the COVID-19 pandemic, successfully balancing study with work, family and community commitments.

Deputy Prime Minster of Aotearoa New Zealand Hon Carmel Sepuloni was the guest of honour and keynote speaker. Also in attendance were Te Whatu Ora Chief Executive Fepulea’i Margie Apa and National Director Pacific Health Markerita Poutasi, along with government ministers and officials, Pacific nursing leaders, Aniva alumni, and Aniva graduates and their families.

Markerita says the Aniva programme’s success comes down to its ‘by Pacific, for Pacific’ design. “Aniva is inherently Pacific in its approach, and its curriculum includes a body of knowledge in Pacific cultures, histories, worldviews, as well as evidence of Pacific health outcomes.

“One of the goals in Ola Manuia, the Interim Pacific Health Plan, is about supporting and growing a strong Pacific workforce, and the Aniva programme is a wonderful example of this. The graduation ceremony itself was beautiful—full of the joy and togetherness of people, their families and communities, and the pride we all felt in others’ achievements.”

The event recognised the support of the graduates’ families, as well as that of Pacific community leaders, health experts, government ministers, officials, and local and international academics who have given their support to the Aniva programme and students.

 

About Aniva

Aniva is a workforce leadership development programme open to Pacific nurses and midwives, offering a uniquely Pacific pathway to achieving NZQA-approved postgraduate qualifications – certificate, diploma and Masters level.

Delivered by Pacific provider Pacific Perspectives, Aniva was commissioned by Manatū Hauora in response to evidence of the low numbers of Pacific health workers achieving postgraduate tertiary qualifications, and is now funded by Te Whatu Ora. Since its inception 12 years ago, the Aniva programme has awarded 316 postgraduate qualifications to Pacific nurses and midwives, and now accounts for one in six of all Pacific postgraduate health enrolments and two in five of all Pacific Master’s health graduates in New Zealand. It graduates the workforce three times faster than other programmes, with a similar cost per completion.

 

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Photo courtesy of Faith Ikenasio Creative