It has been a month since senior Samoan nurse Safaato’a Fereti was recognised at the annual SunPix awards for her tireless work supporting the Pacific community.
Fereti received the Pacific Health and Well Being award, which is sponsored by Pasifika Futures, at the awards ceremony held at Auckland’s Eden Park in November.
“I was very humbled and privileged to be acknowledged in this way. But for me, it wasn’t about the recognition. For me it’s all about serving my community.”
Born in Samoa and raised in Dunedin, Fereti has had a distinguished 30-year career in nursing. Fereti holds several leadership positions, including the Clinical Nurse Director of Medicine at the Counties Manukau District Health Board, the Chair of the Nursing Council of New Zealand and is President of the Pan Pacific Nurses Association. If she was not busy enough, she is also a single parent to two children and studying towards a doctorate in health sciences.
“My role is in mainstream health and not specific to the Pacific, but I make it known that I’m a proud Samoan and work as a nurse in clinical leadership. It’s important to work with and influence the world views of our non-Pacific colleagues around us, to help them understand why we do the things we do and how we can make changes for better Pacific health outcomes.”
Christmas is a busy time of year for Fereti, who will be working right through the holiday period. Her message to families is to be thankful and to remember those who are close to them.
“Don’t take anyone or anything for granted. Hold your loved ones close and tell them how much you love them.”
#pmafamily
Date: Tuesday 29 December 2020