Ngakita Ngatai

From the East Coast but born in Wellington, Ngakita spent her preschool years in Porirua before moving to Wairarapa at age five. Attending Kura Kaupapa Māori o Wairarapa, te reo Māori was her first language, having to learn English when she transitioned to mainstream schooling in her high school years. 

After high school, Ngakita had a gap year in Australia before returning to Aotearoa to work at Wāhi Reka Te Kōhanga Reo. During this time, she became interested in nursing after speaking to a parent of tamariki who was studying nursing at UCOL. 

Ngakita says she has always liked challenges and enjoys pushing herself to see what she can achieve. After looking into it more, Ngakita enrolled in the Bachelor of Nursing at UCOL Wairarapa. 

“Having the Bachelor of Nursing available at UCOL Wairarapa was great as I didn't have to move away from home to study,” she explains.

During her first year at UCOL, Ngakita faced some personal challenges as her beloved nana became sick and then passed away. 

“At first, I wanted to give up because I didn't know how to continue. Before Nana passed, she told me to continue learning and to help people in life.” 

While her nana was in hospital care, Ngakita noticed the disparities in care between Māori and Pākehā patients. This made her even more determined to enter the industry to ensure other whānau Māori can be better treated. 

"Culturally appropriate care is essential for maintaining dignity and mana for patients."

"After Nan passed, her experience in the hospital is something I’ve reflected on a lot. It was a big motivation to carry on and study to ensure others are treated fairly and experience the appropriate care."

Throughout this time Ngakita found support from Te Mana Tauira team and her lecturers, especially during difficult times. She says the lecturers were always helpful and able to break things down in a way that everyone could understand. She appreciated their guidance and support. 

“The lecturers would often work one-on-one with you if you needed some extra support. When I wasn't able to attend classes after my nana passed away, they would email me everything I needed to catch up. They were so good at helping me during that time, and really gave me space and understanding to grieve. They all believed in me and reminded me of why I was there and what I could achieve."

Ngakita pushed herself out of her comfort zone through clinical placements at Wairarapa Hospital in her third year and was able to add a range of exciting new skills to her kete.

Although the hospital she practised in was small, it gave her a great insight into healthcare and caring for patients, and what was expected from her as a nurse. She valued the practical experience gained from clinical placements and appreciated the connections made in the industry.

“When I graduated in March, it was a huge relief and the best feeling to be able to say ‘I’ve done it!’ I felt like I’d really accomplished something.”

Since graduating, Ngakita has moved to Auckland to work at Starship Hospital.

“My transition into Starship was eye-opening and a bit overwhelming. Going from a small hospital in Masterton to a big one was quite shocking, but it's was the challenge I wanted and I've adjusted well. My colleagues and managers have been really supportive too.”

"I was really looking forward to getting my hands stuck in and I've found that at Starship. With Starship being a lot bigger there are more complex cases and wider variety of cases to be a part of, so I've really been enjoying absorbing all the knowledge, developing my skills and becoming a better nurse." 

At Starship, she enjoys being part of a patient's journey toward better health outcomes, particularly with tamariki and whānau. She builds trust and rapport with them to help them on their healing journey. 

“I love working with people and building that trust and rapport with patients and their whānau. They put a lot of trust in you as a nurse, and being in hospital is such a big deal for whānau. So, it's important you treat them well, with respect and kindness." 

Ngakita advises others to step out of their comfort zones, and if they've been thinking about doing something at UCOL, go for it - “what's the worst that can happen?" 

She found that hesitating on decisions can only make things worse and that you're less likely to achieve your goals - “so take the plunge and do it.” She believes that taking action, even if it's scary, is the key to growth and success.

“UCOL has been an unforgettable experience, and it's great to have so many courses available close to home.”

Find out more information on the Bachelor of Nursing.