Supporting our future midwives

Through our Rise scholarship programme, we can all help build a stronger and more diverse midwifery workforce by empowering student midwives to pursue their dreams, overcome obstacles and succeed in their careers.

Here’s what some of our midwifery scholarship recipients at Auckland Hospital have to say, highlighting the difference our Rise scholarship supporters make, and how grateful our scholars are to become midwives:

“Midwifery has always been my passion. It’s been really hard, but you stick at it and believe in yourself. I’m now in my fourth year, and I’m so grateful for the scholarship, for making it possible for me to be part of this honourable career and give back to our people.”

“I’m in my last year of midwifery. I feel very fortunate to have received the scholarship. I was raised by a single mum; I’m the youngest of three girls and the only person in my family to go to university.”

“I was in my second year of midwifery, but as a solo mother of three I found it hard financially, so I had to withdraw from my degree. Then last year, I found out about the scholarship, applied, and was accepted into the programme. The scholarship has helped me a lot, I’m very thankful.”

“I’m in my third year of midwifery. What made me apply for the scholarship was the need I saw among Pacific women. I’m looking forward to trying to make an impact.”

In 2019 at Auckland Hospital, only one new graduate midwife identified as Pasifika. The difference our supporters make by helping to ensure a better representation of Pasifika in our workforce is profound; not only for our scholarship recipients, but also for their patients.

Auckland DHB’s nursing development unit, Manawa Awhi, is with our scholarship recipients every step of the way. Deputy Chief Nursing Officer Wendy Stanbrook-Mason said the programme is all about creating pathways and breaking down barriers for students: “It is about creating opportunities, not just financial ones. Building our nursing and midwifery workforce is a key focus of our organisation.”

By mid-2021, our scholarship donors had helped nearly 50 aspiring nurses and midwives prepare to enter the workforce. Without their support, these aspiring midwives simply wouldn’t have the means to follow their chosen career path.

Margie Patelesio (above) was one of the very first scholarship recipients, and in 2021 she successfully finished her midwifery degree and is now working as a midwife at Auckland Hospital. Read Margie’s story here.

Click here for information about our Rise scholarship programme, and how you can support the future of our midwifery workforce.