Nyrelle Peters - Gains Bachelor of Social Work and on Her Way to Becoming a Registered Social Worker 

Ko Putauaki raua ko Tongariro oku maunga
Ko Tarawera raua ko Taupo-Nui-A-Tia oku awa
Ko Te Arawa toku waka
Ko Hahuru raua ko Maniaiti oku marae
Ko Ngati Peehi raua ko Ngati Manunui oku hapu
Ko Ngati Tuwharetoa toku iwi
Ko Nyrelle Peters ahau

I would like to share my story on my lived experiences, learning journey and how Tuwharetoa Mai Kawerau Ki Te Tai supported me to achieve my aspiration in gaining my tohu in Bachelor of Social Work Level 7.

Growing up here in Kawerau has been a unique experience. Throughout the years, it has been a journey of highs and lows, surprises and unexpected events that steered me into having an interest in social work. Being on both sides, as a client being referred to various support services for my own wellbeing, as well as seeing whanau in our community facing challenges, I wanted to be a part of something that provided awhi, tautoko, and Manaaki to whanau, but also contribute back to the community. So at a Certificate entry level and displaying a great passion for supporting whanau in our community, I managed to gain employment with Tuwharetoa Ki Kawerau Health, Education, and Social Services. I felt that I was in a place which enabled me to be an advocate for pepi and tamariki as a Family Start Kaimahi in which I still am today.

A year after, I decided to enrol in the Bachelor of Social Work Level 7 with Te Wananga O Aotearoa as I knew that I needed further education within the mahi that I do. Within the 3 years of monthly noho, self-directed learning, and meeting deadlines, despite the pressure times, it was a pathway of great insight, in depth knowledge, and further learning into social work, how that looked like from a bi-cultural perspective and how to apply this in my practice. At the end of the journey, I achieved my tohu in May 2017. Now that I am qualified, I am currently working on becoming a registered social worker in Aotearoa.

4 years being a social worker in Kawerau at Tuwharetoa Ki Kawerau Health, Education, and Social Services, I still have that passion for whanau and enjoy the mahi that I do, empowering whanau to be independent and supporting them on their journey. I recommend to whanau that you should pursue study in any field that you have a passion for, look into an education provider that suits you and works around your whanau, plan and organize, and ensure that when you do get accepted for that program, maintain that passion for it, and enjoy the ride!

I would like to acknowledge Tuwharetoa Mai Kawerau Ki Te Tai for their tautoko through the Tertiary Grants that they provided me with the resources I needed to achieve my tohu, your awhi is much appreciated, nga mihi nui. Mauri Ora.