Determination and support pave path for doctor

Published 6th Sep 2011
Six years ago, Bryce Kihirini (Tapuika/Tūhourangi/Ngāti Whakaue) and wife Nicola moved to Auckland with their three daughters so that Bryce could start his first year of medical studies.

In November last year, Bryce started as a House Surgeon at Tauranga hospital, moving back to his home at tiny Waitangi near Te Puke, now with five daughters. 

“It was a long hard road, I’ll be honest,” says Bryce, “but I had huge support from my whānau, and through my tupuna who also connected me to financial support through Māori Trustee".

Bryce had already studied in the past – he holds both Bachelors and Masters degrees both with Honours in Management – but after several years consulting work, still felt the strong pull to become a doctor.

“I was 27 years old and had three daughters already, so I knew it would be hard, but I also firmly believe that if you sacrifice and apply yourself enough, you will get where you want to go,” says Bryce.  “I hadn’t studied for some time before I took on medicine, but my first job was at the freezing works, so at least I was well used to blood and guts.”

Support

“I worked as well as studied, and every bit of other financial support really helped. I was humbled to get the grants and really determined to finish my training. I had my sister, my brothers, my uncles, aunts and all my tupuna saying ‘you’ve got to get through for us boy’”.

“What I really want everyone to know is that we can all do this. It’s just deciding what you want to do, sacrificing things you enjoy doing and then applying yourself, and having the support from your whānau. My sister who lives in Auckland used to come over and do things like take the girls to McDonalds – a huge treat for them and study time for me - and my brothers and others in the whānau pitched in.

Bryce says he would love to see more Māori become doctors.  “There aren’t enough of us.  I’m on the board of our kura and I see how talented our rangatahi are.  I know they can do what they want if they make the choice to, sacrifice and then apply themselves.

“Education is the way forward for our people. Both in Te Ao Māori me Te Ao Pakeha. I’m very grateful that the Māori Soldiers Trust and the owners of the Te Aroha block put aside money for helping us get through degrees such as medicine.  There’s an important heritage that comes with these grants, you’re not just responsible for yourself, but for all the ones that have passed on, and the ones that are yet to come.”

And for Bryce, who is already thinking about specialising in General Practice, the study isn’t over yet.  “I want to specialise in General Practice and become the top General Practitioner in the Southern Hemisphere because it means my people will get the best health care they deserve,” he says.

Bryce received assistance from the Sir Apirana Ngata Memorial Scholarship, which is administered by Māori Trustee,  in 2005, 2009 and 2010.  His great grandfather Aronia Ahomiro was a World War 1 veteran.  He also received education grants from the Te Aroha Block II Lot 1B and Section 2 & 3 (administered by Māori Trustee) where his great grandfather Perenara Kihirini and grandfather Tokau Kihirini held shares.