Te Miringa Arlidge

Te Miringa Arlidge has a whānau full of health professionals, so it’s no surprise she knew she wanted to help people. She has aspirations of providing health services for Māori, by Māori and is determined enough to get there. She is one of six recipients of this year’s Toi Ohomai Whakapumau Pae Tawhiti Scholarship and is in her final year of her Bachelor of Nursing. 

Te Miringa had moved to Rotorua to be with whanāu after the birth of her daughter, and it was whānau who encouraged her to pursue an education in health. 

“I have a lot of whānau with a medical background,” she says. 

“It was my aunty who encouraged me to look into nursing and suggested that it was a good degree to do.” 

Te Miringa initially studied a Diploma in Health Science- at Toi Ohomai to help her decide which direction to take. It was there she decided to pursue nursing. 

Her daughter is now five and has been her motivation during an often-gruelling schedule of work, study and home life. 

“I’m trying to show her that you can do anything.”

She says support from whānau, friends, her tutors and her whānau group have been instrumental in her success and keeping her positive. 

“Study can be challenging. It’s definitely difficult to try and juggle everything. Sometimes it can get overwhelming, but spending time with my daughter and being present in the moment is something that helps ground me.” 

Te Miringa says she applied for the scholarship to try and remove some financial pressure and ensure she was able to balance placements with study and her daughter. 

“This year is very placement-heavy. So, it is such a relief to have some financial support and to focus more on study and looking after my daughter. 

“I was so emotional when I found out I was successful. I was relieved and grateful, but also felt more confident and was reading to hit the ground running.” 

Although she’s unsure what direction she’ll take in nursing, Te Miringa knows where she can make positive change. 

“There is such a demand for Māori needs in health. I always had a dream that I would be in the [surgical] theatre surrounded by Māori health professionals, or in primary health offering healthcare for Māori, by Māori.” 

Te Miringa says anyone considering applying for a scholarship should go for it. 

“You have nothing to lose, but so much to gain.”