Tania Smith is Kaiāwhina at our Whakatū Hauora Hub. In September she was nominated for the 2026 Nelson Marlborough Allied Health Scientific and Technical Awards across three categories: Kaiāwhina Award, Leadership Award and Te Tohu Manahau Taurite Māori Health Equity Award.
Tania writes about the experience here
These awards are an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the contribution Allied Health Scientific and Technical kaimahi make to the patients, whānau, communities and teams they work alongside. This year, the awards recognised nominees across seven categories and a wide range of professions and services.
To be recognised across three categories was incredibly humbling and gave me an opportunity to reflect on just how far my own journey has come.
I started with Te Whatu Ora around four years ago with no previous experience or formal training in the health sector. Since then, my journey as a Kaiāwhina has been one of learning, development and taking every opportunity to grow.
Today, I’m fortunate to be based alongside the Te Piki Oranga team at Te Whare o Te Piki Oranga on Nayland Road. Working in this space has given me the opportunity to work closely with kaimahi and whānau, with equity and whānau-centred care sitting at the heart of my mahi.
For me, being a Kaiāwhina is about much more than a role or title. It is about how we manaaki people, the relationships we build, and making sure whānau feel heard, respected, and supported. My nomination particularly recognised the importance I place on communicating with whānau in a way that is clear, respectful and thoughtful.
Along the way, I’ve also had opportunities to step outside my comfort zone, contribute to different kaupapa and support the development of others. This has included helping with the ED Winter Boost initiative, supporting whānau waiting for clinical care, and mentoring colleagues so they can grow their own confidence and capability.
Being nominated for Leadership, Equity and Kaiāwhina feels especially meaningful because these are all closely connected to how I want to show up in my mahi: supporting whānau, creating space for others, continuing to learn, and contributing to better and more equitable health outcomes.
I’m incredibly grateful for the support, mentorship and opportunities I have received from Allied Health, Te Whatu Ora and Te Piki Oranga, and particularly grateful for the kaimahi and whānau I have the privilege of working alongside.
These nominations aren't just something for me to celebrate. They remind me where I started, how much I have grown, and why the mahi we do for whānau matters.