Republished with the permission of the Kai Tiaki Editors

Havea, Palatasa

Kai Tiaki Editors

Massey Research Online

2/23/22, 5:43 PM ‘Look for potential in everyone’ – Kai Tiaki Nursing New Zealandhttps://kaitiaki.org.nz/article/look-for-potential-in-everyone/ 1/4NZNO CONFERENCE‘Look for potential in everyone’BY KAI TIAKI EDITORSOctober 1, 2021Initially rejected as “dumb” and a “coconut” when seeking higher education atMassey University in the ’80s, scientist and professor Palatasa Havea is urgingeducation providers to look for potential in everyone.Palatasa Havea“Do not ask how many seeds in the apple, but how many apples there are in the seeds,” he toldnurses at the NZNO conference. “If I take the seeds and throw them in the rubbish, I won’t get2/23/22, 5:43 PM ‘Look for potential in everyone’ – Kai Tiaki Nursing New Zealandhttps://kaitiaki.org.nz/article/look-for-potential-in-everyone/ 2/4any apples. Whereas if I plant the seed and fertilise and water it, I will get thousands andthousands of apples from those seeds.”Havea went on to become a successful scientist and researcher, patenting a number oftechnologies and bringing millions into the New Zealand economy over a 26-year career in thedairy industry.Havea says he does not blame Massey University – where he now works as dean of Pacificstudents’ success – and urges Pacific people not to focus on racist experiences but lookahead. “There were a lot of things that could be interpreted as racist in coming my way, but Ichose to focus on my own journey. Success should be defined by our determination today –not by negative things of the past.”But ultimately, a more equitable education system would lead to better health and outcomesfor all. “To achieve this, we must develop leaders to transform our institution but eliminateinequitable practices and cultivate the unique gifts, talents and interests of every child.” In thisway, success and failure would no longer be predictable by student identity – racial, cultural,economic or any other social factor.The education system was based on equality, where the offerings are the same for everyoneand equal benefit is assumed. “But that is also assuming that we start from the same point,”Havea said. “But the reality is, is that society is varied and we don’t start from the same point.And that’s where equality is not very helpful for our people.”2/23/22, 5:43 PM ‘Look for potential in everyone’ – Kai Tiaki Nursing New Zealandhttps://kaitiaki.org.nz/article/look-for-potential-in-everyone/ 3/4Quoting Albert Einstein, he said: “Everybody is a genius but if you judge a fish on its ability toclimb a tree, it will live its whole live believing it is stupid”.So it was with the education system – measuring people only one way was unfair.There was much “unexplored potential” in Pacific people in many areas, but institutionsneeded to provide them a nurturing environment to grow.Everyone had the potential to be a genius – and nursing was something Pacific people excelledat. “In 10 years, what if nurses were dominated by Pacific people?The Pacific people are the best nurses as they don’t do it just with their head, they do thenursing with their heart and approaching the patient with an understanding of how they feeland we are the best people to do that.”Havea tells students there is power in being different. “You need to see whateverybody else sees but think what nobody else thinks.”2/23/22, 5:43 PM ‘Look for potential in everyone’ – Kai Tiaki Nursing New Zealandhttps://kaitiaki.org.nz/article/look-for-potential-in-everyone/ 4/4Kai Tiaki Nursing New Zealand  Proudly powered by WordPressHe advises Pacific students to aspire to high things, despite challenges. “So, the ingredientsfor making a good pearl – rough edges, suffering and pain and time.Watch the conference onlineProfessor Palatasa HaveaEQUITY  IN  EDUCATION :  THE  PATHWAY  TO  BETTER  HEALTH  FOR  PACIF ICANSFull set of 2021 NZNO Conference videos on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUw2YayYode9UKJBBjvYypzG3ZFX4m480)/

NZNO Conference: ‘Look for potential in everyone’

https://mro.massey.ac.nz/bitstream/10179/16916/1/Look%20for%20potential%20in%20everyone%20%20Kai%20Tiaki%20Nursing%20New%20Zealand.pdf

NZNO Conference: ‘Look for potential in everyone’

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