Health service with a smile

A strong building needs a strong platform to build on – and for Manu Ora General Practice in Witherlea, that’s Mikayla Charlton.

Mikayla has been announced as New Zealand’s Emerging Health Practitioner’s as part of the 2025 Allied Health Scientific & Technical Awards, winning the South Island category along the way.

While the change from hospitality three years ago was a leap of faith from both Mikayla and the Manu Ora team, who put their faith in someone without healthcare experience, she feels serving others comes naturally.

“I stock rooms for the nurses, make sure everyone has got everything that they need, then I ring patients to book them in for appointments and helping with minor procedures with the doctors.

“I’ve always naturally been caring and like to do things for others, but I was ready for a change wanting purpose to be within a kaupapa Māori organization, working and helping our people.

“I’m not someone who likes praise or anything, but it’s nice to be recognized for the effort that you’ve put in and it’s growing in that sense of what we do, always trying to add on more what people need.”

As she spends more time at the practice, Mikayla keeps expanding where she can assist across its health programmes.

“We took on funding for a programme called Kahu Taurima, which works with Māori whanau, from Mama being hapu or pregnant to five years I took a lead which has been fun to work with the babies and mums engaging with the practice.

“I enjoy what I do here, and it’s thanks to everyone here who, the owners and clinical leads who took the chance on me with having no experience always teaching me and giving me more things to do that advances my learning.”

Health coach Shianne Casey, also from Manu Ora, was also recognised as a finalist in the Nelson/Marlborough AHST awards.

Manu Ora’s Dr Sara Simmons said “as an active teaching practice we’re passionate about supporting young people into healthcare careers and Mikayla and Shianne are great role models for other young people here in Wairau and help highlight all the different career pathways out there in health.”