Alarming suicide rates across Aotearoa New Zealand has piqued the interest of Tanumia “Mia” Matega (pictured).
The 19-year-old Wellington public service intern has made a pledge to challenge the stigma associated with mental health in Aotearoa.
Mia is among a cohort of recently selected interns who have taken up an internship at the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP).
Through the Tupu Tai programme, Mia has been placed in the Policy and Strategy team at MPP’s Wellington office.
Tupu Tai is a paid summer internship offered to Pacific tertiary students and recent graduates interested in a career in the public sector.
The 14-week internship over the summer is an opportunity for those selected to gain policy experience, build professional networks, and helps prepare them to enter employment after studies.
Hailing from the villages of Ti’avea and Lalovaea, Mia has just finished her second year of study at Victoria University of Wellington.
She is studying Law and Health, with majors in Population Health, Policy, and Service Delivery.
Mia says through her internship, she hopes to work towards the betterment of the Pacific community.
“I hope to learn and soak in as much information as much as I can,” Mia says.
“There are so many projects and initiatives to learn about, people to meet, and skills I hope to develop.
“My aspiration is to help improve disparities in healthcare access experienced by Pacific people, particularly the alarming suicide rates here in Aotearoa.
“My goal is to challenge the stigma surrounding mental health and its services by helping open and supportive discussions within families.
“Additionally, I hope to give legal advice and represent individuals from low socio-economic backgrounds.
“I hope to work towards the betterment of the Pacific community and to continue to learn despite any role I may be in.”
Although she has only been at MPP for just over a week, she says everyone has been welcoming.
“I truly see the passion and hard work that goes on in the background of this Ministry,” she says.
“This experience has truly opened my eyes to the public service…fa’afetai lava.”
Visit the Tupu Tai website for more information on the initiative.