Care
Hauora Kaimahi
IN THE DEEP SOUTH
W We continue our travels around Aotearoa New Zealand, meeting each region’s diabetes community coordinator. In this issue, we meet Theresa Cherry, our hauora kaimahi for the Southland region.
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DIABETES WELLNESS | Autumn 2023
hen we spoke with Theresa Cherry, she had just come in the door and was taking off her lab coat. When not working for Diabetes NZ, she works part-time as a laboratory technician at Southland Hospital. ‘Having two roles, it’s all go, go, go, but that’s ok. It’s just nice to sit down for five minutes.’ When Theresa joined Diabetes NZ, Te Whatu Ora Southern allowed her to drop her hours so that she could work between the two. Theresa started in her role in April 2022. ‘I really enjoy coming from the hospital side of things to now being out in the community.’ A bonus of working in both jobs is being able to meet people on the wards who require follow-on care in the community. ‘I can meet and chat with them, establish a relationship, and move it forward into my other role.’ Two of Theresa’s workmates made her aware of the job vacancy
as they reckoned it had her name all over it. It was advertised as needing an understanding of both Māori and Pasifika frameworks, so having spent the last four years completing her diploma in Te Reo Māori through Te Wānanga O Aotearoa, her interest was sparked. Before starting her te reo journey, Theresa and her husband regularly wove wahakura (in-bed bassinettes) and were contracted by Te Whatu Ora. Her partner, Jason (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa), wanted to become a weaving tutor but realised he needed more reo, so they both took on the challenge four years ago, engaging themselves in te ao Māori. ‘We made amazing friendships and relationships over the years. The next step is full immersion, but that will require a lot of focus and I’m a bit too busy for that at the moment.’ Theresa also has a new mokopuna in the whānau to spend time with.
