“As Māori and wāhine in the health technology area, we have a responsibility to create pathways and frameworks to have a positive impact on future generations,” said Rose Schwass, winner of the Corporate Change Matihiko Award at last week’s Te Hapori Matihiko Māori Technology Awards.
Rose, Te Aitanga-a-Mate, Ngāti Porou & Ngāti Whakaue, is an Information Systems Educator and Tester at Te Whatu Ora Tairāwhiti and has been advocating for the inclusion and advancement of Maori in the IT and healthcare industries.
The Corporate Change Award recognises those who are progressing and empowering kaupapa Māori in a corporate workplace. The awards, organised by Te Hapori Matihiko, celebrate Māori excellence in the digital and tech sector. Rose was the first finalist representing Te Whatu Ora across eleven categories.
Along with fellow nominee and Te Whatu Ora Tairāwhiti IT Manager Jamiessa Boyd, Te Whānau a Tuwhakairiora, Ngāti Porou, they both advocated for the creation of an IT internship programme at Te Whatu Ora Tairāwhiti. This forged a pathway for local students in their Bachelor of Computer Science degree at EIT to take on an internship at Gisborne Hospital and gain real-world experience and demystify working in health.
“An internship is a great way for students to experience theory in practice. It also helps us develop our home-grown talent and future-proof our organization,” said Rose.
Jahminique Chivers, Ngāti Porou, Ngā Puhi, was the first intern to work alongside the IT team in 2022 and now has a full-time position with Te Whatu Ora Tairāwhiti.
She nominated both wāhine for the Matihiko Awards as they have been remarkable colleagues, mentors, and inspirations.
“Rose has continuously inspired me and shown me that as a Māori wāhine, it is not only possible to excel but also to lead and have a powerful voice in the male-dominated IT sector.
“Her unwavering support and guidance have been transformative, and I am forever grateful,” said Jahminique.
Rose, Jamiessa, and Jahminique attended the awards ceremony over the weekend and the high level of talent in the room has reinvigorated them to come home and continue pushing for the advancement of Māori in technology industries.
“One of the things that stuck from meeting so many industry leaders at the ceremony is that we need to think of ourselves both as descendants and as ancestors.
Garry Johnston, Interim Regional Lead Data and Digital Te Manawa Taki said it is an absolute delight to see the public acknowledgement of Rose and team, recognising their contribution to advancing kaupapa Māori within our organisation.
“Ka rawe and ngā mihi nui to all that have support Rose, Jamiessa and Jahminique in these kaupapa,” he said.
Rose said that Māori descend from great and innovative leaders and we are all also going to be ancestors to our future generations.
Coming back to work on Monday with the award, the team was greeted with powerful waiata.
“It was beautiful – you can feel that the wairua of the office has been lifted.”