Kirimoana Pook, a Bachelor of Nursing Māori graduate, currently serves as a Māori Speciality Clinical Nurse at the Whānau Care Services at Wellington Hospital. She works primarily with tamariki aged 0-24 years, offering compassionate care and support. Kirimoana goes above and beyond in her role, not only assessing and advocating for patients and their whānau but also guiding them through the complexities of the healthcare system. She helps her patients understand medical terminology, provides clear explanations, and connects them with additional resources to ensure they receive comprehensive care.
Pivoting to study as a young mother
When Kirimoana began her study journey with Whitireia and WelTec, she was a 38-year-old solo mother of three young children, working as a phlebotomist. Although she had always wanted to become a nurse, she felt nervous about returning to study after dropping out of school at 16. Despite these challenges, she was determined to pursue her passion and build a future for herself and her whānau.
"I was worried about the financial strain, but I had incredible whānau support, and they backed me 100 percent throughout my journey," she says.
Kirimoana emphasizes that you don't need to know how to speak Te Reo or know your pepeha, you learn it on your journey. The Bachelor of Nursing Māori supports you every step of the way.
"My friend said I should do the Bachelor of nursing Māori to learn who I was but I was worried because I couldn’t speak Te Reo. I went to an interview and brought along my mum, my daughter, my friend, and her daughter. It was very welcoming. I didn’t need the reo—it would have helped, but I picked some up along the way."
Core values at the heart of study
The Bachelor of Nursing Māori is a kaupapa Māori nursing programme that explores te ao Māori (Māori worldview), te ao tapuhi (nursing), and the art of weaving these two worlds together. The tutors foster an environment deeply rooted in core values like manaakitanga. Kirimoana credits this strong sense of community, along with the support from her classmates and tutors, as essential in helping her navigate the course.
“We became a family, more than just friends. That manaakitanga approach stuck with me and is important to me, and it’s been incredibly valuable throughout my career." The programme also teaches you how to value working relationships with other professionals, how to become a leader within your field, and how to drive change that leads to better outcomes for both patients and whānau.
Exploring a variety of nursing specialities before graduating
Kirimoana described the course content as a “good mix of theory and practical.” Throughout the three-year degree, she completed multiple placements across Wellington, gaining experience in various nursing specialties. These placements provided her with hands-on learning and valuable exposure to different areas of care.
"First, it was Kenepuru Community Hospital in Porirua, then rest homes. In the second year, I focused on psych, including forensic and community settings. My final year placements were in medical, surgical, and acute care."
Advocating for tamariki
As a Speciality Clinical Māori nurse, Kirimoana manages a busy and diverse caseload. She receives referrals from wards across Wellington, as well as from patients located throughout the lower and middle North Island, and the upper South Island. Her areas of focus include child health, covering paediatrics, neonatal intensive care, and support for some outpatient areas. Additionally, she provides support for Rangatahi (youth) in adult wards, ensuring they receive culturally appropriate care throughout their healthcare journey. Her patients’ needs are varied, ranging from traumatic brain injury recovery to neonatal care, making her role both challenging and rewarding.
“The whānau I care for and support often have complex backgrounds, and I liken these complexities to layers of an onion. As you peel back one layer, another layer of challenges emerges. However, it's important to address each layer one at a time. In providing support to patients, whānau, and staff, my role involves liaising with whānau, collaborating with security, working alongside community support services, and partnering with other medical professionals. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that we can provide the best possible care and achieve positive outcomes for the patient.”
One of Kirimoana’s key focuses is ensuring that patients fully understand their care. She takes the time to translate technical jargon into clear, accessible language and encourages patients to feel comfortable asking for clarification whenever needed. This approach fosters an environment of trust and empowers patients to be active participants in their healthcare.
"Sometimes, patients—especially the younger ones—may just nod and say they understand, even if they don't. They often don’t want medical professionals to think they're not capable or don't know what's going on."
Gaining confidence
One of the most valuable things Kirimoana said she gained during her studies was finding her voice—the confidence to speak up for herself and others.
"Before studying, I would have never been able to stand up in front of so many people. You have no idea how quiet I was; if I could have blended into the wall, I would have. Now I have my voice! But you've got to be that voice for the family. Advocate for them. And empower them to find their voice in the system, because they’d get lost here otherwise."
Supporting the next generation of Māori nurses
Many graduates of the Bachelor of Nursing Māori are eager to give back to the programme long after graduation. Some return as tutors, and some get involved in the Tuakana Teina programme. This system pairs new graduates with experienced nurses who have been working in the industry, allowing them to share their knowledge and help guide the newer nurses as they navigate the next chapter of their careers. Kirimoana loves mentoring students, which she actively does, and she believes that as a Registered Nurse, learning and studying are continuous processes.
Soon, Kirimoana will begin her Master of Nursing Science, which she will pursue part-time alongside her full-time work.
"The programme has played a key role in shaping me into the nurse I am today, and I fully support the Bachelor of Nursing Māori. It's an excellent programme that provides the foundation and skills needed to care for whānau in a culturally responsive way."
Launch your nursing career with Whitireia and WelTec. Traverse te ao Māori (the Māori worldview) and te ao tapuhi (nursing) throughout your learning journey, and graduate as a culturally and clinically competent Registered Nurse. With a nursing qualification, a world of job opportunities in clinical health awaits.
