Korero a Tinana/Conversations
A day to have meeting in a Māori space to showcase some reflections of recent graduates. How, as Māori, their cultural perspective (sense of cohesion), influences their clinical practice as osteopaths.
Target Audience
- Current Te Pūkenga Osteopathic students.
- Alumni of the Osteopathic course.
- Past and present staff.
- Osteopaths from the profession.
Timetable
9.15am – Manuhiri/visitors to meet at the waharoa/front entrance for a Pōwhiri briefing with Darlene (plus learn Te Aroha) as well as registration and collecting of cash koha. (*)
9:30am Powhiri
Korero by Papa Hohepa Renata – He is renowned for his engaging presentation of the story of the wharenui, Ngākau Māhaki and how it relates with the wider city.
Kōrero about the programme: John Cullen
Invitation to Morning Tea (30 mins): As conclusion of the powhiri.
2 Presentations with Q&A
1pm-2pm – Light Lunch & Networking
2 Presentations with Q&A
Wrap up. Finish 4:30
Presenters and their working titles
Craig O’Connor:
Topic: Principles of Tikanga as they apply to clinical practise. (More details soon)
Nerissa Baker:
Nerissa aged 51, descends from Ngatikuri and Ngatikorokoro Iwi in the North, however, grew up in central Auckland (Mt Albert, Owairaka) with her 5 brothers and sisters at a time when Maori Ativism was on the rise. Her Maori mother Alice then worked for Telecom Tolls and her Pakeha father Alan drove taxis while also studying Maori language and history at Auckland University and theology at St John’s College. Alice had strong associations with Ngati Whatua whanau at Bastion Point and Nerissa remembers spending her early childhood playing with friends at Takaparawhau or Orakei Marae. The land march - led by Whina Cooper in 1975 - the occupation and demonstrations at Takaparawhau during the late 1970’s, and, the spring-bok tour demonstrations in 1981 etched in Nerissa’s memory the undercurrent of racial divide that existed then. The findings of Nerissa’s qualitative research thesis, which she completed in 2018, suggests that the marginalisation of Maori and racial divide stemming from colonisation continues to impact negatively upon the health and well-being of Maori today. Her thesis equates a higher incidence of chronic musculoskeletal pain among the Maori population with the ongoing intergenerational effects of colonisation trauma stemming from decimation of Maori people and their language Te Reo, and, disconnection from whenua, whakapapa and whanau constructs, which for many Maori may constitute a loss of secure identity. Nerissa explores the notion of ‘embodied musculoskeletal pain’ as being representative of suffering on emotional, spiritual and/or subconscious levels. She believes that suppression of emotions coupled with an inability to resolve the effects of intergenerational trauma and a lack of understanding of the past contributes to ‘the body in chronic pain’. Nerissa currently runs her own practice on Aotea, Great Barrier Island in which she confidently applies understanding gained from her thesis into practice. Development of what she terms ‘an animal model of stress’ highlights understanding of how negative emotions interact with trauma, stress and chemical states in the brain and body that can amplify chronic pain. Applying an empathic understanding of ‘what happened in the past’, as well as educating patients about the basics of chronic pain science has led to better clinical outcomes overall and for Maori in particular.
Demelza Scott-Weekly:
Demelza is of Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha, and Kāti Airani descent growing up in Central Otago. She is a graduate of the Unitec Osteopathy programe (MOst), and has a post graduate diploma in public health (DPH) from the University of Otago and is in the process of completing a Master of Public Health. Demelza worked as an osteopath but struggled to find balance between the underpinning holistic philosophy of osteopathy and the realities of working in a clinical practice. As an osteopath she saw common threads of wider issues negatively impacting peoples everyday wellbeing. This began her interest in public health and brought her to Dunedin to do a Masters (something she swore she'd never do again!) looking at how rurality, ethnicity and deprivation intersect to impact people's access to healthcare in the Southern District Health Board region. Demelza loves any excuse to get outside and walked Te Araroa with her cousin in the Summer of 2019/20. She's passionate about Māori health equity and is excited and optimistic about the health reforms with the establishment of the Māori Health Authority and the opportunities for osteopaths."
Matiu Taingahue:
Matiu is of Ngati Porou, Rongo Whakaata, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, and Ngati Pakeha decent but grew up in Te Tai Tokerau/Northland. He is a graduate of Otago University School of Physical Education (BPhEd hons & MPhEd) & the Unitec Osteopathy programme (MOst). Matius’ background involves athletic training, coaching development, rehabilitation, lecturing, research, and curriculum development across a range of fields in sport, education and healthcare. He has worked with professional sports teams, national academies of sport, universities, elite athletes, sports medicine professionals, students, and the general public in New Zealand, Sweden, Norway, and Qatar. Matiu’s passion is movement efficiency, wellness, and human optimisation whether it is on the sports field or in everyday activities. He lives with his wife and three children in the Waitakere ranges and enjoys watching their sports performance & learning develop, and spending as much time as possible doing anything active in the outdoors with them. Matiu is currently working as an Osteopath, physical conditioning consultant, & wellness advisor in a range of different settings. He continues to enjoy learning how our brains & bodies react to the myriad of different stimuli we can subject them to & immerse them in. This year he has also been appointed to the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand and has taken on the role of co-chairing the Te Tiriti o Waitangi sub-committee.
Topic: Movement practise (More details soon)
* The koha in cash is for the Marae team and their speaker.
Expression of interest to
John Cullen
09 366 1996