Award recipient reimagines Māori healthcare through kai

Of Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Porou descent, Jessie blends her academic strength with deep cultural insight to her studies. With a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and a minor in Māori Health already under her belt, her path into dietetics has always been about more than just food.

“As I’ve grown in my understanding of te ao Māori and health inequities in Aotearoa, I’ve realised that being in a field like dietetics gives me the tools to create positive change through kai for our communities,” Jessie says.

Jessie’s journey began in Dunedin, where she first explored how kai is more than nourishment – it’s a connection to identity, whānau and whakapapa. That understanding continues to shape her purpose today.

“I began to understand how kai is deeply intertwined with Māori identity and how kai can be used to strengthen relationships and promote health within communities.”

Through her studies and lived experiences, Jessie is becoming a bold voice in the movement to reshape how healthcare serves Māori. She says there’s still a long way to go but that’s what drives her.

Receiving the Te Rau Angitū Award has been a powerful part of her postgraduate experience. It’s not just about support, it’s about being part of a collective of Māori scholars who are all working to uplift their communities in different ways.

“The programme is like no other and gives the chance to connect and grow with other tauira (students) Māori across disciplines and across the country,” Jessie explains.

“Being able to share my experiences and hear that other postgraduate tauira are feeling similarly reminds me that I am not alone in this journey. Together as a collective we help boost each other up in times of need.”

Looking to the future, Jessie is open to wherever her mahi takes her from clinical dietetics to public health, paediatrics, and prevention. Her vision is clear: to create spaces where Māori feel seen, heard, and supported.

“I want to work in a space where mātauranga Māori and clinical knowledge are valued equally.

“I’ve also taken interest in paediatric care and supporting tamariki and their whānau early on so we can build strong health foundations for the future. The opportunities in dietetics are endless!”

Her message to others thinking about studying dietetics is grounded in empathy and purpose.

“Dietetics is so much more than learning about food, it’s about understanding people, health, and the powerful role nutrition plays across the lifespan and across cultures.

“If you’re passionate about helping others and recognising the diverse backgrounds people come from, you’ll learn to listen, understand, and provide personalised guidance that is both relevant and responsive.”

Jessie is part of a new generation of Māori health leaders who are combining scientific knowledge with cultural understanding to uplift the health and wellbeing of our communities.