Rocklyn (Rocky) Rahipere is bringing a welcome connection to some of Tauranga’s vulnerable communities.

He drives a mobile health clinic across the region’s lower decile areas, providing primary support for the unit’s registered nurse and qualified doctor.

Ngāti Te Rangi Iwi Trust identified the need 16 years ago to fund a mobile health unit that could provide free one-on-one consultations to patients in low-income areas, still believed to be the only one of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

As its coordinator for the past nine years, Rocky ensures the ‘health waka’ gets out every evening, supporting about 15 – 20 people with no appointments necessary.

As the front-line person, Rocky triages patients before they see the medical professionals.

“It’s about working with people and keeping them calm,” says Rocky.

“It’s also a place for people to just come and talk and feel safe. Some of our most vulnerable people just come along, drink our coffee and our milo and go home at 9pm,” he smiles.

Leaving school aged 13, Rocky was drawn to work in the local timber industry.

“Since then, many of the mills have closed down and I had to change my profession.”

Rocky knew that tackling a Health and Wellbeing certificate would require a different kind of study.

Inspired by two of his daughters who had already completed the programme, he embarked on a NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing Health Assistance (Level 3). 

The 12-month programme is delivered in the workplace, supported by the learner’s employer and work-based learning provider Careerforce.

Rocklyn (Rocky) Rahipere inside the mobile clinic with nurse Adrienne Arthur.

One of Rocky’s greatest advocates is the Runanga’s Tauawhia Kaimahi, Sheila Tippet.

“Rocky is exceptional at what he does, motivated, enthusiastic and very insightful,” says Sheila.

“Rocky has got great connections into the community.  He can find common ground with just about anybody and make them feel comfortable.”

“So, for Rocky to be able to do this study as well and be formally recognised for what he is already doing is amazing.”

Sheila is a reader/writer for Rocky.

This means that together they can capture the evidence or demonstrate that he knows how to do something as required for the qualification assessments.

It shows that not being confident with your literacy, is not a barrier to achieving a qualification.

“I read out my answers to questions and Sheila does all the typing,” says Rocky.

“I usually describe how a task is completed and for some of the units, I take photos or videos to help show that I have done the job.

Rocky also acknowledges Adrienne Arthur, one of the HBU nurses. Adrienne is Rocky’s Workplace Observer; she comments and signs off on his practice as it relates to his study.

Rocky shares that putting the learnings into practice is a key focus with Careerforce programmes.

“There are lots of things I have learnt that I can apply to my role. For example, getting on with people from different cultures. How to approach different cultures? What do people in other cultures do that we don’t do?”  

“When I finish this, I might want to jump on and do another year, see what comes of it, and perhaps become a registered nurse at the end of it,” Rocky adds.

Rocklyn (Rocky) Rahipere outside the mobile clinic at Welcome Bay Community Centre.

Already Rocky has recommended the programmes to other support workers, including another daughter.

“This is essential for anyone that wants to work on the front line doing this sort of work,” says Rocky.

“It’s just good to have that background knowledge, to understand how to get on with and manage people,” says Rocky.

For more information about Health and Wellbeing Programmes, please contact Careerforce, work-based learning provider for the Health and Wellbeing sectors.