As Adrienne Arthur celebrates more than 40 years in the nursing profession, she reckons it’s her work with a Tauranga iwi that has been the most rewarding.

Reflecting on her career, Arthur said one recurring modern trend especially with rangatahi (youth) is they “craved” more quality family time and “are crying out for attention”.

That had been eroded by hectic work schedules – so whānau could put food on the table, Arthur said.

The 69-year-old started with health and social services provider Ngāi Te Rangi three years ago because its holistic approach to wellbeing and helping vulnerable people most in need aligned with her own values. “I have a strong sense of purpose in my mahi. I love it,” said the Pāpāmoa East resident.

“I have enjoyed the opportunity to collaborate with staff from various departments within the iwi by working together to generate new ideas and improve the quality of education and services we provide to our clients.”

Life experiences

Arthur said she often draws on her own life experiences – which included time spent on the benefit raising five children after her marriage broke up – and upskilling from an enrolled nurse to registered nurse. She’d been nursing “on and off” since she was 17.

“I decided to go back and get my nursing degree so I could support my children. I found it quite degrading to be a solo mother on the benefit, I couldn’t wait to get off it and empathise with those who are reliant on it.”

Arthur had worked across many sectors within the industry as a community nurse, high school nurse, kaumatua health advocate and in aged care across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty.

Frustrated at the mainstream health system, Arthur said in her view, it was disheartening to see services overburdened and underfunded, nurses burning out or moving overseas, and people not going to the doctor because they couldn’t afford it.

Worrying topic

Today Arthur is a registered nurse employed by Ngāi Te Rangi 20 hours per week – but often doing more – and assists when required on its HbU.

This is short for How bout You – a free mobile health waka that visits low socio-economic communities in the evening in Tauranga Moana and the Western Bay of Plenty with a doctor or nurse practitioner.

Registered nurse Adrienne Arthur at the HbU mobile waka health clinic in Merivale with nurse practitioner Debbie Inglis. Photo/Supplied.

Arthur’s health educator role means she also engages with youth and provides information and help on an array of topics from contraceptives to sexual health, drug and alcohol use, and mental wellbeing.

However, one topic of conversation that often arose is worrying, she said.

“What I’m finding is, children want to be able to spend more time with their family. They want to do more fun, wholesome activities but some parents are struggling.

“They are working longer hours due to the cost-of-living crisis to put food on the table. Meanwhile, our children are crying out for attention and to be heard and loved.”

Regardless of the situation Arthur said it is important whānau try to make time to be with and listen to each other to stop other issues from escalating.

Humbling

On the HbU health waka she said it was humbling to be part of a service that reaches some of the most vulnerable people in our community who often can’t afford to see a doctor.

“That is why I’m so passionate. It’s all about being able to assist whānau who have complex health needs and to empower them to look after themselves better.”

Arthur’s mother and grandmother were nurses and she said it was “a real privilege to carry on the family tradition” – which she had no plans of retiring from soon.

Ngāi Te Rangi chief executive Paora Stanley said: “You have to have heart and soul when you are working for your community”.

“Some CEOs give their staff a job, we give ours a cape and a dose of hope.”