Thu 22 Sep 2016 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Takatāpui Senior Clinical Nurse Leader for the ADHB and LGBTI advocate Sonya Temata is standing for the Auckland District Health Board. Temata has fifteen years experience working within healthcare, both Primary and Secondary, specialising in Cardiothorac Surgery/Transplantation, District Nursing, Emergency and Trauma, Sexual Assault and Sexual Health. Aiming to raise the voice and profile for all people in New Zealand, Temata says she believes “in a health system that provides clinical governance and leadership that serves a purpose for all people of Auckland”. Temata says “I believe providing care in a culturally appropriate and competent manner is essential to addressing cultural and language barriers, providing a holistic approach for all individuals and whanau is central to health and wellbeing given how very multi diverse our Tamaki Makaurau, Auckland region is. “Issues such as inadequate access to or limitations to health services is hugely impacted and this can be due to variable factors such as cost, transport, determinants of health and specific beliefs and practices which influence certain behaviours and ideals in relation to health and illness which affects how people utilise and engage with services. “The dynamics, structures, status and roles are important to understand and essential to working with each individual within their families and communities regardless of status, sexual orientation, age, gender, migrant status, sexuality, ethnicity.” Temata is only one of two Pasifika people standing for the ADHB.