Born in Vava’u, Dr Mikaele moved to New Zealand at 11 years old and is the eldest of five siblings. A former McAuley High School student, she went on to complete her medical studies at the University of Auckland. She reflects on her journey into orthopaedics.
"I grew up loving sports. I played rugby and watched a lot of it too. When I saw players getting injured I wanted to be the one to provide first aid care. Having grown up with brothers, I was always challenged physically. I always had that drive to dominate them even though I was the smallest.
"My heart also longs for a better future for the South Auckland, Pacific, and Tongan community. I wanted a specialty that would help fulfil some of their greatest needs. I wanted a goal that seemed humanly impossible to achieve, as a platform to reveal God’s power; that’s how I ended up with Orthopaedics."
When she received the news of her acceptance, it came on a day of both joy and deep sadness.
"When I got the call, we were gathering at home mourning the loss of my young nephew who passed away that morning so a few other things were of priority.
"That’s another thing I love about being Tongan – it’s never really about you and you can’t escape responsibilities. But I feel relieved if anything. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel."
She also reflected on what her heritage means to her.
"Before everything that makes up who I am now, my identity as a Tongan was the one concrete truth from the beginning that was never questioned. It helped that I was raised in Tonga where life evolved around the culture.
"When we moved to New Zealand, at one point I felt that identity was threatened. But my family ensured that we held on to our Tongan values, and I really was taught that being Tongan was a superpower. That’s been my approach since."
Dr Mikaele says her work is guided by the Faa'i Kaveikoula 'a e Tonga, the four golden pillars of Tongan values: Faka'apa'apa (respect), Anga fakatokilalo (humility), Tauhi va (maintaining and nurturing relationships), and Mamahi'I me'a (passion).
She hopes her journey will inspire other young Tongans, especially women, to dream big.
"The journey is tough, but not impossible. The job can be demanding, but be encouraged by the fact that there are so many amazing Tongan women who have broken these barriers meaning you can do the same.
"You won’t walk this journey alone, and your Tongan superpower is exactly what our health system needs."