Meet Raymond Dunn—Health Navigator

Ko Mahuhu ki te Rangi te waka.  
Ko Tumutumuwhenua te tangata.  
Ko Puke Karoro te maunga  
Ko Oruawharo te awa  
Ko Kaipara te moana.  
Ko Ngati Whatua te iwi.  
Ko Te Uri o Hau te hapu.  
Ko Oruawharo te Marae.  
Ko Raymond Dunn toku ingoa.  

I’m one of the health navigators for Mauri Ora, working specifically with Māori and Pacific Island students. I can work with you on a holistic point of view to look at all aspects of what’s going on in your life so that you get the best university experience. If you’re feeling lost and need some guidance, we can work together to identify what will help—booking an appointment with the student finance team, having a chat with one of our counsellors, or connecting you to another university service.   

I’ve got a health and educational background. I used to be a schoolteacher in Auckland, and then worked in youth facilities. The health side comes from my family. My grandparents were traditional midwives, and my mum is a rongoā, haputanga, and mirimiri practitioner. I trained in Romiromi with followers of Papa Hohepa.   

One of the best things about working at Te Herenga Waka is getting back in touch with my culture. I lived in Australia for ten years and I missed that. The pōhiri at orientation made me feel so grateful for my culture. It had been a while since I had heard people speak Māori, and to hear it being spoken for at least 40 minutes in one go—it’s amazing to connect with people and my language. I didn’t get that when I was away, and when I did it was with family, but when you get it from other people too it brings that sense of belonging and awareness of where you come from.  

I don’t have set appointments, you can just walk in to Mauri Ora and see me. I’m also running drop in sessions around campus, which you can find below. My advice to students would be to reach out for help. Last time I was a student we didn’t have the type of services that we have here, so definitely reach out for help because it’s available!  

DROP INS 

Mondays

11.30 am–12.30 pm—Pasifika Library 

Tuesdays

12.30 pm–1.30 pm—Whānau Room, Te Toki a Rata

Wednesdays

11 pm–noon—Pasifika Student Success space 

12.30 pm–1.15 pm—outside Kelburn library

3 pm–4 pm—Āwhina space—alternate weeks between Pipitea and Te Aro  

Thursdays  

12.30 pm–1.15pm—outside Kelburn library

2.00 pm–3.00 pm—Āwhina space, von Vedlitz building

Raymond Dunn is a Health Navigator at Mauri Ora. You can find out more about the Health Navigators and get in contact with them on the Mauri Ora website.

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