The West Coast Studentship programme has recently been renamed the Te Kōunga o Te Hiringa Gary Coghlan Studentship programme in memory of Gary Coghlan. Gary was one of the country’s longest-serving general managers in Hauora Māori. He was a former chair of Tumu Whakarae, the National Reference Group of Māori Managers within DHBs, as well as a former deputy chair of Tai Poutini Polytechnic. Gary continually challenged the health system to deliver equitable outcomes for Māori and actively promoted cultural competencies in mainstream health systems. He was recognised as one of the key contributors to reforms within the health system and in developing rural health initiatives on the West Coast.
Gary was passionate about workforce development and was instrumental in developing the Studentship programme within Te Whatu Ora Te Tai o Poutini. He promoted all programmes that gave Rangatahi the opportunity to experience first-hand what life could be like working in the Health System on the West Coast.
Te Whatu Ora Te Tai o Poutini is very pleased to offer Sponsorship Awards in the form of Studentships to West Coast students who are studying, or intending to enrol at a recognised NZ university or polytechnic for the next academic year.
To select a diverse group of students who will work together on an approved project. This supports Te Whatu Ora Te Tai o Poutini’s “grow your own” approach.
The students will undertake activities at Te Whatu Ora Te Tai o Poutini, which will benefit both the student’s learning experience and advance or assist any Te Whatu Ora Te Tai o Poutini project, event or activity.
There will be six studentships offered, with each student receiving $5,000 as taxable wages.
The programme will run across the summer holiday period with 2 orientation days on 18th & 19th December prior to Christmas and 4 weeks from 8th January to 9th February 2024 (dates are subject to change).
Applicants must be enrolled, or intending to enrol in an education programme at a recognised New Zealand education institution for the next academic year. At the completion of their study, the applicant intends to work specifically, but not exclusively within West Coast rural health.
Applicants must have resided on the West Coast of the South Island, or have strong links or whakapapa to Te Tai o Poutini.
Consideration to the whole group mix needs to be maintained with priority given to Maori and Pacifica as well as a focus on fragile sectors.
To be eligible for consideration, applicants are required to complete a Te Kōunga o Te Hiringa Gary Coghlan Studentship Application Form. The application form and timeframes are accessed through the link below:
All applications that meet the application criteria will go to a panel for review and selection.
The decision of the panel is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
All applicants will be notified of the response by email.
Workforce Development Team
Rural Learning Centre
Te Nikau Hospital & Health Centre
71 Water Walk Road
Greymouth 7805
Page last updated: 20 September 2023
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