Aniva 2021 and 2022
Graduation Celebration
The 2021 and 2022 Aniva Pacific Health Workforce Development Graduation Celebration and Dinner was held on International Nurses Day Friday 12 May 2023 at the Waipuna Conference Centre, Mt Wellington, Auckland. The event was hosted by Pacific Perspectives with the support of the Pacific Section of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) and sponsored by the Pasifika Medical Association Group. The Deputy Prime Minster of New Zealand, Hon Carmel Sepuloni, was in attendance as the guest of honour and keynote speaker.
The dinner and graduation celebration was attended by over 230 people, including CEO of Te Whatu Ora Health - New Zealand Fepulea’i Margie Apa, Secretary for Pacific Peoples and Chief Executive of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples Gerardine Clifford-Lidstone, MPs Hon Aupito William Sio and Hon Anahila Kanongata’a-Suisuiki and Pacific nursing leaders Fuimaono Karl Pulotu-Endemann, Dr Margaret Southwick, Leaupepe Peta Karalus and Mrs Violani ‘Ilolahia Wills, as well as Aniva graduates and their families.
Tagaloa Dr Junior Ulu, Interim Director Pacific at the Ministry of Health, was the Master of Ceremony for the evening and led the event programme, which included cultural items from The Tongan nurses Association and the Tokelauan Nurses Association of New Zealand.
Aniva Postgraduate Certificate Ceremony
The highlight of the evening was the graduation ceremony for the 2021 and 2022 graduates of the Aniva programme, which celebrated the achievements of the Aniva graduates who completed their studies during the COVID pandemic, whilst also balancing their roles as nurses and midwives with their family and community commitments.
32 graduates of the Postgraduate Certificate in Specialty Care (Pacific Health) in 2021 and 2022 were presented their certificates by CEO of Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand CEO Fepulea'i Margie Apa and Secretary for Pacific Peoples and Chief Executive of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples, Gerardine Clifford-Lidstone.
Aniva Postgraduate Diploma Ceremony
19 graduates of the Postgraduate Diploma in Specialty Care (Pacific Health) in 2021 and 2022 were presented their certificates by MP Hon. Aupito William Sio and CEO of Pasifika Medical Group, Debbie Sorensen.
The event also recognised the support of the graduates’ families, as well as the support of Pacific community leaders, health experts, Ministers of Parliament, officials, and local and international academics who have given their support to the Aniva programme and students.
Aniva Master of Professional Practice (Leadership) Ceremony
Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Carmel Sepuloni and Aniva Lead Lecturer Adi Dr Alisi Vudiniabola presented a certificate and a bound copy of individual theses to each of the eight graduates of the Master of Professional Practice (Leadership).
The ceremony was followed by a speech from Student Representative, Pasifika Community Nurse Team Lead at Tangata Atumotu Trust, Samoan Women’s Rugby Team Player and current Aniva Masters student, Philomena Petaia.
