Ahipara woman wins Rural Women NZ scholarship

Roberta Kaio is devoted to helping abuse victims and those with mental health issues.

Ahipara woman Roberta Kaio has won this year's Rural Women New Zealand $3000 scholarship.

Ms Kaio (Ngati Kahu ki Whangaroa, Ngapuhi Nui Tonu), who works as a primary mental health co-ordinator for a mobile nursing team at Te Hiku Hauora in Kaitaia, said she would put the money towards completing her Master of Nursing degree at the University of Auckland. She already has two post-graduate diplomas in health management and nursing.

She was passionate about working in mental health, especially in rural areas, and promoted working in a holistic framework and within a cultural approach.

I started studying later in life, while on a single parent benefit after a traumatic experience."

Roberta Kaio

"I'm so grateful to receive this scholarship," she said.

"I started studying later in life, while on a single parent benefit after a traumatic experience. I remember the days as a single mother with two children, knowing I had to do something better for myself and for my children. I became passionate about supporting people with mental health issues and those who experience abuse."

Through study and employment, she progressed her nursing career with the Auckland DHB, including community mental health teams, the Mason Clinic and non-governmental agencies.

"After nearly 22 years living in Auckland, my husband, children and I shifted to the Far North to reconnect with our whanau and community. We now have a better life balance, with time for fishing, being outdoors gathering kai and time on the beach together," she said.

"I spend a lot of time travelling to clients across the rural Far North, but I get a great deal of satisfaction seeing the work that I do make a difference to the community, and I enjoy being part of people's journey in a positive way."

RWNZ national president Fiona Gower said her organisation and Access were pleased to play a part in helping support Ms Kaio's journey towards delivering crucial health services in rural communities.

"Community-based rural health services are essential for people living in remote areas," she said.

"It is heartening that health professionals like Roberta are passionate about working in regions such as the Far North, and undertaking further study to improve professional knowledge and experience for the provision of quality rural health services."

Access chief executive officer Simon Lipscombe said Ms Kaio had demonstrated a continuing commitment to providing essential mental health services to those in her rural community.

"She represents the important connections between primary and secondary health care, and what that means to the communities that rely on health providers. We are excited to see how Roberta's career progresses over the years, and wish her well," he said.