Hope in the face of adversity - Bariz Shah and Saba Afrasyabi SUMMER 2019 - Medical Assurance Society
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
SUMMER 2019
Bariz Shah and
Saba Afrasyabi
Hope in
the face of
adversity
Money Gifts / Sustainable giving
Professional life Celebration / Modern holidays
Good living Motoring / Classic Kiwi cruising
tūhono atu nei ki ngā rōpū
ngaio pēnei i te New Zealand
Marketing Association me te
The information contained in OnMAS is of a general nature New Zealand Bar Association,
and should not be used or relied upon as a substitute koia hoki mātou i whakarewa
for detailed advice or as a basis for formulating business i tētahi kōkiri whakatairanga
decisions. The opinions of contributors are their own and e whai ana kia tōia mai ētahi
not necessarily those of the publisher or editor. mema hōu, otirā, tētahi
whakatupuranga kaimahi
©2019. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may ngaio taitamariki ake.
be reproduced in whole or part without the prior permission From MAS
of the publisher. E hāngai ana tā mātou pūrongo
mātāmua i tēnei marama ki
I tēnei wā i te tatanga atu ki tētahi tokorua nō Ōtautahi e
PUBLISHER MAILING ADDRESS te mutunga o te tau, ka hanga ana i ētahi umanga iti i
MAS OnMAS anga atu ō tātou whakaaro Āwhekitāna hei whakahōnore
Level 3, PWC Centre PO Box 13042 ki te raumati i te putanga i te hunga i mate i te parekura
10 Waterloo Quay Johnsonville whakamutunga o OnMAS mō i te whare karakia Muhirama
Wellington 6011 Wellington 6440 2019, ā, ka huri ōku whakaaro i Ōtautahi. Kua mahi nui ēnei
ki tēnei tau nui whakahirahira manene i mua, a Bariz Shah
PHONE HEAD OFFICE mō mātou i MAS. rāua ko Saba Afrasyabi i te
0800 800 627 +64 4 478 8863 roanga atu o 2019 ki te kimi
I tērā tau, i pōti ō mātou huarahi hei tūhono i te hapori
WEBSITE EMAIL Mema kia whakatūria he Muhirama ki te hapori whānui
mas.co.nz onmas@mas.co.nz tūāpapa atawhai, ā, he nui kē atu o Ōtautahi. I whiwhi a
hoki ngā mahi i mahia Bariz ki tētahi Karahipi i raro i
EDITOR DESIGN kia tīmataria te Tūāpapa te kaupapa MAS Here for Good
Sophie Speer eightyone.co.nz MAS, kia tīmata hoki āna mō tana mahi hei tumuaki o te
mahi. I a mātou e tuku nei Rōpū Ākonga Muhirama o te
i tēnei moheni kia tāia, kei Whare Wānanga o Waitaha, ā,
THE HUB te whakatūria ngā kaitiaki he hōnore ki a mātou te tautoko
For more stories, videos and to share your views, o waho, ā, hei ngā marama i tana mahi.
visit the MAS Hub at hub.mas.co.nz. The hub is the tuatahi o te 2020 ka rangona
go-to site for features from OnMAS issues, as well ngā kōrero katoa mō te Pērā i ngā marama katoa,
as helpful information and useful tips on all the things ahunga rautaki. Ka taea e koe he mea nui ki a mātou ā
that matter to us –
and to you. You can easily share te pānui i ētahi atu kōrero koutou tukunga whakaaro
stories from the hub with friends and family, see videos mō te Tūāpapa i te whārangi mai, waihoki ngā tukunga
that delve deeper and have your say on issues affecting 4 i ā mātou kōrero ki te kaupapa hei tuhinga mō ngā
you and your community. kaitohutohu kaupapa atawhai marama kei mua anō hoki.
ki a Michelle Wanwimolruk, Īmēra mai ki a mātou ki
ki te kaiarataki i te kaupapa. onmas@mas.co.nz
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION
Every effort has been made to guarantee the pages I tēnei tau kua kaha ake tā Tēnei au te tuku atu hei
of OnMAS are sustainably sourced and produced mātou mahi whakarahi i māngai mō MAS i ā mātou
using paper that meets the environmental standards ā mātou Mema, i waenga i mihi, me te tūmanako ka pai
shown below. It is then packaged in an eco-friendly te ao ngaio whānui kē atu. tā koutou raumati, me ngā
degradable wrap for protection in transit. Mai rā anō kāore i kauparea aumihi anō mō te Tau Hou.
ngā tāngata nā ngā hoa, ngā
whānau, ngā hoa mahi rānei Mike Davy,
o ngā Mema i ārahi mahi, MAS, Kaiwhakahaere Matua
heoi anō, e ora ai mātou mō Whakatairanga, Rawa Hoko
te wā roa me rapu tāngata hou hoki.
i waho anō i ō mātou taura
tāngata ake. Koia mātou ka Continued on page 3 >>
ISBN 2230-5823
In this issue on mas /
summer 2019
professional life
On the cover
04
02 News briefs
08 MAS updates / Scholarship
winners and finalists
12 Celebration / Modern holidays
16 Member profile / The doctor duo
tackling the challenges of GP life
22 MAS in our community / Spotlight Bariz Shah and
on oceans and the climate crisis Saba Afrasyabi:
24 Student news / Students on two Afghan-Kiwis
celebrating inspired to help
others.
12
money
10 Gifts / Sustainable giving
greater good
04 Cover story / Hope in the face good living
of adversity
18 Climate change / The retired 11 Holiday checklist
eco-warrior speaking the truth 27 Travel / Eating in San Francisco
on the climate crisis 30 Motoring / Classic Kiwi cruising
20 MAS updates / MAS Foundation: 32 Food & drink / Celebration made
Private money for public good simple
21 Member story / A visit from 36 Entertainment / Your summer
Alanna Mitchell reading list
Member story / Helping the
30
26
helpers
on mas the magazine for mas members 1
P professional life /
news briefs
News briefs
Summer events
happening
near you
06
02
01
04
05
03
02
What's on
01 / LIGHT IT UP 02 / FAMILY FESTIVITIES 03 / BEST BUSKERS 04 / CELEBRATION IN
14 DECEMBER – 17–19 JANUARY / RAGLAN 23 JANUARY – THE VINES
1 FEBRUARY / AND TIMARU 16 FEBRUARY / 8 FEBRUARY /
NEW PLYMOUTH Multi-genre event Soundsplash CHRISTCHURCH MARLBOROUGH
New Plymouth’s Pukekura Park will Festival has run in Raglan for the Enjoy performances from some of Eat, drink and be entertained at the
shine brightly after dark with an past 15 years and in 2020 will the world’s best buskers at Bread & annual Marlborough Wine & Food
explosion of light and colour for the offer a second event in Timaru Circus – World Buskers Festival 2020. Festival. Now in its 36th year, this is
annual TSB Festival of Lights. The across the same weekend. The The festival offers a series of ticketed New Zealand’s longest-running wine
event, which runs for seven weeks, all-inclusive, family-friendly event shows alongside jugglers, musicians, festival and offers wine lovers a day
sees the gardens transformed is a celebration of music, culture tricksters, puppeteers, mime artists spent sampling the region’s very best
into a wonderland of interactive, and art. It’s also sustainable: both and dancers who’ll be performing on wines and local cuisine while enjoying
mesmerising and entertaining light events are committed to being zero the streets of Christchurch. The Bread performances from Kiwi musicians.
installations. Visitors to the family- waste. The line-up includes Peking & Circus programme is headlined in Visitors can take part in masterclasses
friendly event are encouraged to Duk, Stan Walker and Mitch James. the Spiegeltent by Blanc de Blanc, with winemakers or watch cooking
pack a picnic and spend an evening soundsplash.co.nz which brings together the finest demonstrations from celebrity chefs.
exploring the lights. There’ll also be ‘champagne cabaret’ and acrobatic The event is held at Brancott Estate,
plenty of food on offer as well as live talent from around the world. one of the country’s oldest vineyards.
entertainment nightly. breadandcircus.co.nz wine-marlborough-festival.co.nz
festivaloflights.nz
2 summer 2019
Association and why we’ve
From MAS embarked on an advertising
campaign aimed at attracting
more Members, particularly
As the year winds down a new generation of younger
and we turn our thoughts to professionals.
summer in the last issue of
OnMAS for 2019, I wanted to Our cover story focuses on
reflect on what a big year it an inspirational young couple
has been here at MAS. from Christchurch who are
creating microbusinesses
Last year, our Members voted in Afghanistan to honour
to establish a philanthropic those killed in the March
foundation, and a lot of mosque attacks. Both former
work has been done to get refugees, Bariz Shah and Saba
the MAS Foundation up and Afrasyabi have spent 2019
running. As we go to press, finding ways to strengthen
the external trustees are being links between the Muslim
appointed, and the first few community and the wider
months of 2020 will be all Christchurch community.
about setting the strategic Bariz was a recipient of a MAS
direction. You can read Here for Good Scholarship
more about the Foundation for his work as President of
on page 20 where we talk the University of Canterbury
to philanthropic consultant Muslim Students Association,
05 / ARTY-FACTS 06 / HEALTHCARE Michelle Wanwimolruk, who and we’re honoured to be able
21 FEBRUARY – 15 MARCH HONOURS is leading the project. to support his work.
/ WELLINGTON 29 FEBRUARY /
The New Zealand Festival of the AUCKLAND This year has also seen an As always, we welcome your
Arts kicks off in the creative capital New Zealand’s inaugural Primary increased focus on expanding feedback and ideas for future
in late February. This year, three Healthcare Awards celebrate the our Membership to a wider issues. Email us at
guest curators will put their own hard work of the country’s primary professional community. onmas@mas.co.nz
unique spin on the programme care practitioners who are on We’ve always welcomed
– choreographer Lemi Ponifasio, the frontlines of improving the referrals from Members’ On behalf of MAS, I hope you
comedian and musician Bret health and wellbeing of all New friends, families and have a wonderful summer
McKenzie and multimedia artist Zealanders. The awards extend and colleagues, but our long-term and I wish you all the best for
Laurie Anderson. Expect to see replace the successful 28-year-old sustainability means we need the new year.
theatre, dance, music, literature, Pharmacy Awards. Nominations to continue to grow outside
and visual arts from some of the closed last month, and the winners our immediate circles. That’s Mike Davy
world’s leading artists across will be honoured at a black-tie why we’re partnering with MAS, General Manager
Wellington and the wider region. gala at Auckland waterfront’s professional organisations Marketing and Products
festival.co.nz Shed 10 on 29 February 2020. such as the New Zealand
nzphawards.co.nz Marketing Association Read this in te reo Māori
and the New Zealand Bar on the inside front cover.
on mas the magazine for mas members 3
G greater good /
cover story
HOPE in the face of adversity
This page / Bariz Shah and Saba Afrasyabi are establishing 51 microbusinesses in Afghanistan
4 Opposite / Saba photographed a man selling vegetables in Afghanistan summer 2019
The Christchurch mosque
attacks have inspired two
Afghan-Kiwis to help others.
Fifty-one Afghans have the prospect
of a better future thanks to the support
of two former refugees now living in
Christchurch.
Bariz Shah and his wife Saba Afrasyabi
are honouring the 51 people who died Our model is to They became our motivation, and when
empower people
in the Christchurch mosque attacks March 15 happened, it inspired us to do
through a project that will help Afghan something to help those people. We wanted
by establishing
people establish microbusinesses such to honour the 51 lives lost,” Saba says.
as tea stalls, fruit and vegetable cart
Leading through tragedy
microbusinesses.
and small sewing businesses.
Bariz was only weeks into his new role
The pair left for Afghanistan in as president of the Muslim Students
Bariz Shah
November where they will reside Association when the Christchurch
for three months. They are filming attacks occurred and was part of the
their experiences and plan to create Saba – an Afghan who was born and raised team who helped with the burials.
a documentary that will be shown in Pakistan as a refugee – says she and
in Christchurch next year. Bariz already had the idea of setting up He says it was a challenging time as
microbusinesses as a way to give back to he needed to keep his composure
Bariz – an engineering student and their homeland before the horrors of the and maintain his strength for the
the current President of the University March attacks, but the events compelled community throughout.
of Canterbury Muslim Students them to put their idea into action.
Association – received a MAS Here for “It was an extremely difficult time for me
Good Scholarship and was awarded “Even though the Afghan people are living because not only did I have to lead during
$3,000, which he put towards a new in a war zone and have untold hardships in
camera for the documentary. their lives, they’re hopeful for a better future. >>
on mas the magazine for mas members 5
G
I can’t really
weeks through a Givealittle campaign –
enough for the 51 microbusinesses, one
to honour each of those who died in the
Christchurch attacks.
“Our model is to empower people by
establishing microbusinesses, so we’ll
be providing them with tools or services
rather than just a cash handout. For
example, for a small portable business on
wheels, we’ll get a carpenter to build the
cart and we’ll provide the business owner
with two weeks’ worth of goods to sell.
It could be anything from vegetables to
clothing – anything sellable in a market.”
The pair hope to continue creating
microbusinesses in countries where
citizens would benefit from them.
02
Coming together
Bariz believes the horrors of the
of Afghan people before marrying Christchurch attacks have provided
Bariz in Pakistan in 2017 and moving to an opportunity for understanding and
Christchurch in 2018. Her mother still tolerance in the community and that
lives in Kabul. it’s important not to lose momentum
as time moves on.
She says it’s inspiring seeing people retain
their sense of hope for a better tomorrow Despite the tragedy, he believes the
in the face of so many challenges. event has made the wider public more
willing to engage with other religions
“Even when I was 13 years old, it was my and cultures.
dream to do something for these people.
03
I can’t really express the feeling in words, “It opened people’s eyes to Islam as
but it’s like I’m feeding my soul. I feel a religion of forgiveness, patience
Creating hope blessed for the opportunity to go there and love, which helped to remove the
Saba says microbusinesses are the and do something for these people.” preconceptions people had from past
only way for Afghan people to survive. events such as 9/11.
After decades of war, people are largely A team of six have been scouring
surviving day to day and have no Afghanistan for recipients to help “The Muslim community has a
access to support or welfare from start their micro businesses. Saba says responsibility now to take advantage
the government. they’re looking for people with skills and of this situation and create opportunities
potential but who lack the funds to start for Muslims and non-Muslims to
Born into an Afghan family living as their own businesses. understand each other, especially at this
refugees in Pakistan, Saba and her time when people are willing to listen.”
siblings encouraged her family to return Bariz says they don’t believe in charity but
to Afghanistan in 2017 as a way to are focused instead on enabling people Bariz and Saba hope they can finish their
re-establish ties to their homeland. to work for themselves by providing documentary in time to have it premiere
the tools they need. A microbusiness in Christchurch in March 2020, around the
Saba spent that time using photography costs about NZ$400 to set up. Earlier first anniversary of the mosque attacks.
to document the lives and experiences this year, they raised NZ$20,000 in four
on mas the magazine for mas members 7
P professional life /
mas updates
MAS Elective Scholarship winner
Medical students applying for
the MAS Elective Scholarship
were asked to write an essay
about the person or people
who had been influential in their
decision to pursue a medical
career. The winner, Jennifer
Redshaw, received $1,500
to help towards her elective
placement costs.
In the family
Jennifer Redshaw’s whānau have been
her primary influencers in life. Her mother
left her nursing career to home-school
her children, and this gave Jennifer a love
of learning and the freedom to explore
what interested her. From a young age, her
grandmother would suggest she should be
a doctor when she grew up, but Jennifer’s
stubborn side led her to dismiss this until
she was studying NCEA.
“First, you spend years at university doing
science and learning about the human body,
which sounded fascinating, then you spend
the rest of your life helping people. The idea
of problem solving every day, working out
what was happening and fixing people’s
illnesses appealed to me, the puzzle-mad
Sherlock Holmes fan that I was.”
Jennifer says she would never have found
herself in medical school without her whānau,
and now two younger sisters have decided
they want to be doctors too.
“I'm so thrilled to have played a part in
inspiring those dreams.”
… working out what was happening and fixing Jennifer won the MAS Elective Scholarship
people’s illnesses appealed to me, the puzzle- and plans to spend her elective in two
mad, Sherlock Holmes fan that I was. countries: Apia, Samoa for six weeks and
Jessica Redshaw Cologne, Germany for the remaining six.
You can read Jessica’s essay at
mas.co.nz/JessicaRedshaw
8 summer 2019MAS Here for Good
Inspiring finalists Scholarships
The quality of the essays we received Recipients of the MAS Here
was so high that we wanted to share for Good Scholarships were
the other finalists’ stories. challenged to write an essay
detailing their volunteer activity and
how this benefits them in life and
Early exposure Cruise crisis in their chosen future profession.
At age five, Michelle Curtis’s cousin A medical situation with her The winner was Bariz Shah (read his
Michael was the first New Zealand grandfather helped fifth-year story on page 4), but Dayeon Lee's
child to survive a liver transplant. University of Auckland medical essay was highly commended by
In 1988, the surgery was not even student Rose Falconer reignite her the judges.
performed in New Zealand. Now, one passion for medicine and reflect on
liver can be transplanted into three why she chose to pursue it in the first Sustainable medicine future
people. Unfortunately, this was only place. Her 93-year-old grandfather As a young Korean born in Japan and now
the beginning of Michael's health had spent several months on a world living in New Zealand, Dayeon Lee grew up
journey, but the generosity of his cruise, but when the ship docked in as a “third culture kid” attempting to navigate
donor gave him 31 years of life. Auckland, he was discovered to be western suburbia while holding on to a dream
short of breath with a dangerously of becoming a health professional.
The Otago University student says low pulse of 32 beats per minute. He
Michael was among her family refused to be seen by the ship doctor, After joining civics education charity UN
members who contributed to her but knowing how serious the situation Youth New Zealand and attending it's Global
decision to study medicine. He was, Rose contacted the doctor Development Tour in 2015, Dayeon began
helped her value her own health and herself, leading to her grandfather thinking more deeply about sustainability and
instilled a desire to help others. It also being sent in an ambulance straight what she could do to make a difference. She
sparked in her an interest in medicine to hospital where he received a now sees her future medical practice as being
as a child, and she vividly remembers pacemaker that saved his life. closely connected with these efforts.
the trips to the phlebotomist to test
for organ rejection and Michael’s “Seeing my grandfather sitting “Today, with diverse experience centred around
many hospital admissions. comfortably in my lounge today my passions for sustainability, equity and
reminded me of the rewarding feeling rangatahi, I am endeavouring towards a career
“My exposure to the healthcare system that comes with truly making a in global health development heavily rooted
through my family and experiencing difference to someone’s life and has in medical expertise.”
what a difference doctors can make made me feel confident that I have
in people's lives with appropriate made the right choice in pursuing Dayeon is studying for a Bachelor of Medicine
resources helped to shape and cement medicine,” she says. and Surgery at the University of Auckland and
my decision to apply.” is Director of the Global Development Tour 2020
You can read Rose’s essay at with UN Youth New Zealand.
You can read Michelle’s essay at mas.co.nz/RoseFalconer
mas.co.nz/MichelleCurtis “Beyond directly impacting my career trajectory
to head towards public health on a global scale,
my experience with UN Youth teaches me
essential skills to reach my goals. Everything from
leadership, communication, time management
and, importantly, resilience are essential attributes
for an upcoming medical health professional
balancing late night ward runs, teamwork,
ongoing assessments and emotionally poignant
patient interactions.”
You can read Dayeon’s essay at
mas.co.nz/DayeonLee
on mas the magazine for mas members 9M money /
gifts
Sustainable
giving
Feel good this Christmas by giving back to
the community, protecting the environment
and gifting sustainably. If you’re looking for
a way to celebrate more sustainably this
Christmas, we’ve put together a few tips.
03
01
02
04
01 02 03 04
Collaborate and Eco-friendly vacation Trees that count Christmas box
give back One way to help the One way we can all tackle Bring hope to the table this
Collaborate is an app that environment this Christmas climate change and Christmas by feeding a
connects people to volunteer is by choosing an eco- improve our environment New Zealand family for $30.
opportunities that match friendly holiday spot. From is by planting more native One hundred percent of
their skills and interests. By eco-silos on Banks Peninsula trees. Trees That Count is a your donation goes directly
swiping through projects in to off-the-grid earth houses conservation charity that has to feeding a family less
your city, you will be able to in Coromandel, there are been planting native trees fortunate, ensuring they won’t
find one-off opportunities or options to stay in quirky around New Zealand since go hungry on one of the most
ongoing volunteer positions. accommodation that 1990. Get involved for as little festive days of the year.
There are also lots of online provides energy-efficient as $10 and consider gifting christmasbox.co.nz
volunteering opportunities facilities in some of the a native tree instead of the
that you can get involved country’s most picturesque latest gadget to friends or
with, wherever you’re based. locations. Eco Find has family. There are no batteries
letscollaborate.co.nz listings for more than 100 required, and it’ll last a lifetime.
eco-friendly accommodation treesthatcount.co.nz
offerings across the country.
ecofind.co.nz
10 summer 2019L good living /
holiday checklist
06
Holiday
checklist
If you’re heading away this summer, plan
05 ahead so you can relax properly. The last
thing you want is to come home to a burst
waterpipe or burgled house.
Before you leave home, turn off your water supply
before you leave and any non-essential appliances
at the wall.
Double check you’ve locked all your windows
and doors and set the alarm if you have one.
It’s also a good idea to hide valuables out of sight
through any windows.
05 06
Give a goat Clean out the closet
Give a goat this Christmas, Have a clear-out of old Think about how you can create the impression
and you can help a family clothes or unused children's there’s someone still at home. Ask a neighbour
in Vanuatu start their own toys and donate to your to clear your letterbox regularly and put out your
farming business and earn local charity shop. This will
rubbish bins. If you have timers on your lights,
a sustainable living. The give other children in your
set these to go on and off at different times in
income made from rearing community something new
goats allows families to to play with at Christmas and the evening.
build permanent housing, the less fortunate some new
gain secure access to clothing items for summer. If you have a MAS contents policy, your contents
clean drinking water and
are covered anywhere in New Zealand. Even so,
provide for their household.
it’s a good idea to make sure anything in
oxfamunwrapped.org.nz/
christmas-goat a roofbox or on a bike rack is properly secure.
If in doubt, bring it inside with you if you can.
If you have a holiday house, turn off the power
and water when you leave and if you’ve had
tradespeople in since your last stay, it’s a good
idea to change the lockbox number if you have one.
on mas the magazine for mas members 11P professional life /
celebration
Modern
holidays
With the holiday season almost upon
us, people all over New Zealand are
gearing up for a break spent with
friends and family. Families, cultures
and religions spend their summer
in different ways, so we spoke to
three MAS Members to see how
they celebrate the holiday period.
01
From North America to New Zealand none of that – I think I saw one Christmas decoration at
Grant Highstead found his first Kiwi Christmas an the hospital last Christmas and it was put up only a week
unusual but not unpleasant experience. He had been or so before Christmas Day.
living and working as an A&E doctor in North America
for most of his life and had grown up with the traditional “Christmas is so much more low-key here and far more
American Christmas where the food was plentiful and family-oriented. I really appreciate that, but it is a little
presents were the main event. difficult to get used to. It’s just a much quieter holiday
here than what I was used to in North America.”
When he came to New Zealand in 2016 to work as a
doctor in Palmerston North, it was only supposed to Grant says the low-key Kiwi Christmas suits him
be a year-long contract. However, he and his family – just fine. In fact, it’s one of the reasons he’s fitted in so
wife Kari and daughter Jordan – soon realised easily with the New Zealand way of life.
they loved the New Zealand lifestyle and could
see themselves settling here permanently. Working as an A&E doctor meant working nights,
missing big life events and not being able to do the
Their first Christmas was spent travelling around traditional Christmas lunch or dinner that other families
New Zealand and making the most of being on the valued in North America, so he had already made these
other side of the world. There was no Christmas tree, adjustments years ago when he started his career.
no extravagant meal and hardly any presents – just
time spent with family exploring Aotearoa. “Back when my daughter was still quite young and
I was working nights full-time, it was actually really easy.
According to Grant, the New Zealand Christmas isn’t I would work my night shift, get home at 8am
as commercial as the North American version, and Kiwis on Christmas Day and play Santa Claus.
value the quality family time that Christmas allows more
than anything else. “My daughter would get up and there would be
presents under the tree, we would have a family
“In North America, by November, every store you breakfast and open presents together. Then I would go
walk into has Christmas music playing and Christmas to bed to work the next night shift. It was never an issue.
displays everywhere. Here in New Zealand, there was
12 summer 201901 / The Chilton family have a tradition of selecting and
cutting down a Christmas tree from their garden every year
02 / For Grant Highstead, working in A&E on Christmas
Day is like any other day “That’s how a lot of people do it in the States where you’ll
03 / Grant, originally from America, prefers New Zealand’s often have a lot of travel to see your extended family.
laid-back approach to Christmas
You do a small thing with your immediate family on
Christmas Day and then a few days after Christmas you’ll
make the big drive to see your wider family,” he says.
This Christmas will be much the same for Grant and his
family. While he doesn’t work the night shift any more,
he still does shift work and might end up rostered on for
Christmas Day. But that doesn’t matter to him.
“A huge positive for me about New Zealand is the
long summer break and the four weeks of annual
leave. This summer, I’m taking leave in January and
we’re going camping with friends, so I’m not taking
time off at Christmas.
02
“My daughter and wife will travel and do things around
New Zealand over Christmas, and I’ll work like I normally
do. It doesn’t really matter to me if I’m off on Christmas
Day itself – as long as we have time to do some activities
as a family.”
For Grant and his family, Thanksgiving is a more
important holiday, and when he lived in the States, that
was the holiday he would negotiate leave for rather than
Christmas Day.
“There are a few things my wife grew up having at
Thanksgiving that she tries to make here, but it can be
difficult to source the ingredients in New Zealand. There
are a few places you can buy North American foods,
so we tend to splash out and buy hard-to-find ingredients
at Thanksgiving time.”
Pine trees and homemade pizzas
Mike and Susannah Chilton met in 2000 at St Stephen's
Church in Sydney, where she had moved to study
dentistry. They both grew up in Christian families where
going to church was always a part of Christmas Day.
The Chiltons have since returned to Susannah’s hometown
of Palmerston North and now share a lifestyle property
with her parents Bruce and Sandra, along with their
children Meg (11) and Henry (6). For the extended family,
attending church remains central to their Christmas Day.
“Christmas is always special,” says Mike. “We’re Christians
so Christmas is very important to us. Both Susannah and
I grew up going to church on Christmas Day, and our kids
will grow up doing the same.
>>
03
on mas the magazine for mas members 13P
“My parents have always done that, and now we do it too.
That’s why we try and keep the day low key, so people feel
welcome and not like they’re intruding,” says Susannah.
Christmas pudding and treasure hunts
Jack Hailstone and Alice Mitchell met at university in
Dunedin in 2012 where she was studying for a Bachelor
of Physical Education and he was studying for a Bachelor
of Science majoring in physiology, on his way to medical
school. They were in the food line at their hall of residence
and they started chatting. The rest, as they say, is history.
04
“It’s so funny that we met in line waiting for food because05
“Christmas is fairly relaxed, and the bubbles are normally
popped quite early especially because of Mum’s
birthday,” says Jack.
With Jack stepping into a new role as an orthopaedic
surgery house officer this November, days off will be
limited over the summer period, but he’s been lucky to
avoid being rostered on for Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
“It’s going to be a bit of a shock as I’m used to those long
university breaks over the summer. But I’m excited to be
stepping into my first proper role, and I’m happy to have
Christmas Day off,” says Jack.
Alice and Jack say they hope to carry on both Kiwi and
English Christmas traditions when they start a family of
their own.
“Jack and I are quite active, so when we have our own
family, I think we’re going to incorporate beach walks into
our Christmas Day, along with some of those more English
traditions like Christmas pudding with coins,” says Alice.
“We also enjoy experiences over physical gifts, so we
ask family members for those where possible. Last
summer holidays, Alice’s parents gave us a couple of
nights’ accommodation in Nelson. We managed to get
cheap flights, and I ended up proposing to her down
there,” Jack says.
“Hikes, adventuring and beach walks are a pretty big
part of our relationship. We got engaged on top of
Mt Starveall, and we have plans to climb the Pinnacles
in the Coromandel this summer too.
“Getting outdoors and going for a walk will definitely
be a part of our joint Christmas traditions in the future,”
Alice says.
06
04 / The Chiltons on Christmas day 05 / Jack Hailstone and Alice
Mitchell blend English traditions with Kiwi holiday celebrations
06 / Jack and Alice like to get down to the beach on Christmas Day
on mas the magazine for mas members 15P professional life /
member profile
The doctor
duo tackling
the challenges
of GP life
Two Invercargill GPs are and patients. This results in the patient
working to create a general feeling more comfortable and cared
practice where autonomy, for, while each doctor gains a better
a good work-life balance understanding of the patient’s needs
and wellbeing can thrive. as well as their physical and emotional
background.
When they first entered the medical
GPs are generally profession, new GPs Kirsten Taplin “GPs are able to do what they do best
and Rachel Greenwood were among when they actually know their patients.
curious, caring the many doctors feeling the pressure That is what sets us apart from hospital
of working 14-hour days while running doctors – a long-term relationship built
and energetic on empty. on respect and trust that develops over
the years,” Kirsten says.
people, so they’re While they were immediately drawn
to working in the primary sector, they Much of the important work starts with
often pulled in soon became aware their lifestyle the reception staff.
needed to change.
many different “They organise the appointments as
When the opportunity came along to best as they can to suit the needs of
directions … buy a practice in Invercargill in 2018, the individual patient, giving extra time
Kirsten and Rachel jumped at the where it's needed and trying not to
Dr Rachel Greenwood chance, hoping this would provide book particularly complex patients
them with more autonomy, a healthier one after another for us.”
lifestyle and a better work-life balance.
Through better scheduling and cutting
“We knew each other's strengths and down clinical hours, Kirsten and Rachel
how to communicate with one another have seen their own work-life balance
effectively. Importantly, we're on the improve, but it’s an ongoing challenge.
same page when it comes to healthcare
delivery and the quality of care that we Rachel says, “GPs are generally curious,
want to provide,” Kirsten says. caring and energetic people, so
they’re often pulled in many different
Their practice emphasises building directions, meaning it’s hard for them
strong relationships between doctors to practice self-care.”
16 summer 2019It is a very big
commitment,
and a lot of the
information
regarding the
many benefits
01
of owning
01 / For general practice
owners Kirsten Taplin (L)
and running a
practice is not
and Rachel Greenwood
(R), running a business
with better work-life
balance starts with their
receptionist
readily available
02 / Kirsten has seen her
wellbeing improve thanks to young doctors.
to better scheduling and
cutting down clinical hours Dr Kirsten Taplin
02
As new owners, Kirsten and Rachel “General practice shouldn’t be a default
understand why younger GPs could career pathway, because it’s not easy.
be reluctant to own their own practice We need keen, motivated individuals
as most owners are older. who are fully informed about the
options to buy practices and reap the
“It is a very big commitment, and benefits of their qualifications and
a lot of the information regarding the hard work. Otherwise, you can work for
many benefits of owning and running someone else and they will benefit on
a practice is not readily available to your behalf.”
young doctors,” Kirsten says.
Rachel says this shift in mindset could
Rachel says there’s an attitude that be achieved by pairing up GPs in training
many doctors will “end up” in general with retiring GPs so that registrars
practice, even if that’s not what they’ve become aware of the opportunities
specifically trained for in medical and the financial benefits of running
school. According to Rachel, this a practice.
attitude needs to change.
on mas the magazine for mas members 17G greater good /
climate change
01
MAS Member Robin Treadwell increase awareness about the climate
has always been interested in crisis and to live with a smaller carbon
sustainability and living an eco- footprint. Robin has lived on Waiheke
friendly lifestyle, but she’s proving Island permanently since 2012, and she
anyone at any age can take is working on establishing a co-housing
action against climate change venture that will help reduce her carbon
The retired
footprint as well as dealing with the
It wasn’t until Robin was in her 60s that loneliness and isolation felt by seniors
she was inspired to take action, after living alone.
eco-warrior
her granddaughter Ella was born and
she read Naomi Klein’s This Changes “Last year, I needed to have some major
Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate. repairs done on my home, so I was house
speaking the
sitting and having other women come and
“I thought to myself, ‘I’m not too old to stay with me. I realised how much happier
do something’, and for Ella’s sake and I am living with other people, and there
all of her peers, I need to do what I can
to let people know what is really going truth on the are lots of single older women like me who
felt the same. I talked it over with some
climate
on. Climate change had been peripheral friends, and we decided to explore the
to my life before then, and it was a real possibility of living together,” she says.
light-bulb moment,” says Robin.
crisis
Robin says we need new models of
Since then, Robin has taken it upon housing, not only to help us live more
herself to do everything she can to sustainably but also as a way of looking
18 summer 2019to what the scientists were telling us,
even if we had good reasons. We were
busy raising families and so on,” she says.
She realises it might be an unpopular
opinion, but Robin thinks her generation
needs to stop the cruises, the ‘gratuitous’
travel and other high-carbon lifestyles
in order to leave a liveable future for the
next generations.
“A lot of people see flying as a right
02
rather than a privilege, but that time is
01 / Robin Treadwell grows fruit and vegetables in an effort to reduce her carbon footprint over. The actions taken by individuals
02 / Robin is part of a community of Waiheke Islanders committed to minimising their impact might be small, but they send a signal to
on the climate by riding bikes where possible
others that ‘business as usual’ is ending.
after the most vulnerable members of “If we have to put up with a bit of
our communities. This is not idle talk inconvenience in order to leave a liveable
for Robin – even though she has not future for the next generation, that’s fine
yet secured the land for her co-housing with me,” she says.
venture, she has decided to sell her ROBIN’S TOP TIPS TO REDUCE
home anyway. YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT Robin believes that healthcare
AND TAKE ACTION ON THE professionals have a particularly
Universal responsibility CLIMATE CRISIS important role to play, as they will be
Beyond her communal housing plans, at the frontline dealing with the health-
Robin is involved with the organising Be politically active in support related consequences of the climate crisis.
group for Our Climate Declaration – of necessary legislative change
a declaration to encourage people to “The New Zealand Medical Association
take action on climate change in their Join OraTaiao, the New Zealand has joined others around the world,
local communities – and the Carbon Climate and Health Council for recently declaring that climate change
Neutral Waiheke Island group. In March health professionals calling for is a health emergency,” she says.
this year, Robin helped organise a urgent and fair climate action
bike ride from her home on Waiheke Support the change makers
Island to Wellington with other members Inform yourself and others Robin says the most important action
from Carbon Neutral Waiheke Island – ask questions and get answers people can take is to vote in support of
to highlight the actions everyone could political parties who are making the
and should be taking to combat Recycle wherever possible, but systemic, legislative changes necessary
climate change. more importantly, REDUCE! to stop global warming.
When it comes to addressing climate Downsize your vehicle “The main thing is devoting support
change, Robin believes she and other to the strong measures that need to be
seniors have the advantage of perspective, Take public transport or ride taken. We need to put aside our petty
wisdom and experience and should be the an e-bike concerns about what it will mean to our
ones taking responsibility for dealing with lives and look at the alternative,” she says.
the problem. Reduce meat and dairy intake
Robin is passionate about people using
“Almost all of the people in the Climate Eat seasonally and locally public transport, e-bikes and electric
Declaration are grandparents. This isn’t vehicles or downsizing their vehicles.
about naming and shaming, but the Support ethical/sustainable She’s also a big believer in reducing
reality is that climate change became clothing companies our intake of meat and dairy products
a major problem during my lifetime. and eating seasonally and locally
My generation failed to pay attention whenever possible.
on mas the magazine for mas members 19G greater good /
mas updates
but it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going “The thing we always need to think about is
to do a good job of it. To have an impact with how a private philanthropic funder can have
your philanthropy, you need to go further a disproportionately positive impact and
than cheque-book grant making. complement public funding to be a catalyst
MAS Foundation: for greater change.
“What makes the best grant makers well
Private
known is that they do more than just give “Philanthropy has a role in funding riskier
money. They lend support, and they convene projects, more innovative projects at an early
and gather people and do a lot more thinking stage. Government can then take to scale in
money
about the issues and systems involved so a way that philanthropy can never do.”
they can play an active part in social change.”
As this issue of OnMAS was going to print,
for public
The MAS Foundation will be focused on MAS was finalising appointments to the
health research, education and promotion, inaugural board of trustees for the MAS
and it is expected to give away about $2 Foundation. Trustees were scheduled to be
good
million a year once it is up and running. But appointed in November, and Michelle will
Michelle says the MAS Foundation will need hold workshops with them in the new year
to think carefully about its niche and strategy to focus on establishing the Foundation’s
to get the most out of this investment. strategy and vision.
Philanthropic organisations have “The really great funders out there understand that they’re not in
enormous potential to make a the business of giving away money. They understand that they’re
difference in the world if they in the business of making an impact on society.”
have a clear purpose and a
sound strategy. MAS has turned
to one of New Zealand’s leading
philanthropic consultants to help
get the MAS Foundation off to
the best possible start.
Michelle Wanwimolruk is an experienced
philanthropic consultant who won the Kiwi
Invest Emerging Leader Award earlier this
year at the Philanthropy New Zealand Awards.
She won this award for her work with the
Borrin Foundation – a new and significant
philanthropic entity in New Zealand
funding legal research and scholarships –
established through a bequest of the late
Judge Ian Borrin. Michelle worked with the
trustees to establish the organisation and
she continues to serve as the Foundation’s
Chief Philanthropic Officer.
Michelle says the key to establishing a new
philanthropic organisation, is developing
a clear strategy and goals to ensure the
organisation makes an impact.
“Everyone knows that having a pile of money
gets you into the business of philanthropy Michelle Wanwimolruk
20 summer 2019G greater good /
member story
MAS Member Jane Jones
attended Alanna Mitchell’s
MAS Talk in Christchurch
and reflected on her
experience in a poem.
Her Grace is not eternal
The ocean is a cross
absorbing our sins one carbon atom
at a time
A visit from
but there will be no resurrection
her grace is not eternal
Alanna Mitchell
The ocean is a war zone
microscopic refugees shuffle wearily
away from the violence of heat
To foreign waters
The ocean is a mirror
While in New Zealand for MAS and horrified when she explained that showing us what we have become
Talks in September, Alanna the acidity level of the oceans has been her silent reflections
Mitchell also spoke with school permanently changed because of the do not tell lies
students about her experiences amount of carbon dioxide we have
travelling with scientists to produced over the last few decades. The ocean is an old woman
understand the impact climate now unsmiling
change is having on the oceans. “Hearing Alanna talk about her becoming bitter with years
experiences studying, documenting hope turned sour
In Christchurch, she stopped by and raising awareness around the
Christchurch Girls’ High School and environmental impact we are having The ocean is a feast
Hillmorton High School and visited on our oceans was inspirational. everyone is invited
Wellesley College in Wellington. As a society, we must address the issue laden, groaning, heaving
Fifteen-year-old Christchurch Girls’ of climate change, and part of that is but we ate too much
High School student Molly Smeele understanding the science behind it so
reflects on Alanna’s visit. we can truly understand the urgency The ocean is a circus
of the action we need to take. a fine balancing act
“It was excellent having Alanna Mitchell splendid and terrifying
come to speak to us at Christchurch “Alanna has dedicated her life to trying addictively unpredictable
Girls’ High School. She spoke about the to make a difference to how people
long-term impacts that climate change perceive climate change. Young people The ocean is a dying father
and pollution will have on humanity like myself and other Christchurch Girls’ Who tells his fighting sons
and the world. High School/Te Kura o Hine Waiora “I have limited time left
students must have the opportunity to forgive each other, choose life”
“Alanna explained the science learn from experts on climate change so
of climate change in a way that we have the knowledge to go out into the Without the ocean we are lost
allowed everyone in the audience to world and make a difference.” in her, we are found
understand. Students were shocked and find ourselves
sustained.
on mas the magazine for mas members 21P professional life /
mas in our community
Spotlight
on oceans
and the
climate
crisis
The 2019 edition of the MAS Talks series saw award-
winning Canadian science journalist Alanna Mitchell
wowing audiences in Christchurch, Wellington and
Auckland. Alanna has spent her three-decade-long
career travelling the globe with scientists seeking to
understand our rapidly changing planet.
22 summer 2019“What a brilliant evening. “I just wanted to “I was fascinated by her experiences
Considering the grim picture say how much (especially how she described
of what we have done to the I enjoyed this witnessing a coral spawning – I felt
planet that Alanna painted, we talk. Alanna like I was there with her!) and was
left with a renewed energy of was AMAZING, grateful for her courage to share
how we can turn this around.” life-changing.” what she has learned.”
Dawn Williams, Wellington Sally Hickling, Christchurch Mint Bhetraratana
on mas the magazine for mas members 23P professional life /
student news
Students on
celebrating
This time of year is all about celebration, but how important is it to weave
celebration into our personal and professional life all year round? In their final
term of being Student Association presidents, Ming, Georgie and Fraser tell
OnMAS about the importance of celebrating your big and little wins and
their plans for summer as they approach graduation.
Georgie Martin students are crippled with Working over periods of
President / Massey University mental health issues. Being celebration as a veterinarian
Veterinary Students’ Association encouraged to celebrate is often inevitable, but it’s just
wins, no matter how small, is part of being a member of a
How do you celebrate your a mindful habit that boosts team. These responsibilities
own wins and successes, wellbeing. It creates a positive are divided amongst your
both personally and mindset and positive emotions team. Remembering this can
professionally? Success that can build resilience when be a motivator because the
often comes following hard faced with adversity. next holiday someone else
work, which can be mentally, will be working while you are
physically and emotionally How important do you think celebrating. During these
tiring. Being extroverted, I it is to acknowledge wins days, taking regular breaks
recharge by surrounding myself and celebrate in your line of and connecting with other
with people. Consequently, work? Put simply, celebrating people can also help distract
I love to celebrate with family wins in the veterinary profession you from feeling as though
and friends. is extremely important. It you’re missing out.
improves mental health and
Do you think the veterinary wellbeing, but it’s also crucial What are you doing over
sector encourages people in for maintaining motivation. We the summer break? Do you
the industry to celebrate big are motivated by our successes. do anything to celebrate at
and little wins? The industry Celebrating reinforces the this time of year? This is an
has celebrated big successes reason for our hard work, exciting time celebrating with
in a variety of veterinary sectors reminds us goals are attainable my class. We have finished
for many years. This generally and increases our drive to set our last-ever lectures and are
consists of annual awards at more goals. finally entering the clinical
national and regional levels. stage of the degree. It is also
However, I think smaller wins Being a vet sometimes a time to hand over the baton
are starting to be recognised requires working outside of as student President. Reflecting
and celebrated more at other conventional hours, often on our achievements this
levels, such as within clinics, over periods of celebration. year and celebrating with my
staff teams and the vet school. Do you have any tips on awesome team has made it
This movement is associated incorporating celebration very worthwhile.
with the increasing awareness into your work day so
of mental health in the profession. you don't feel like
Veterinarians and veterinary you're missing out?
24 summer 2019The hospital tends to go into Do you think dentistry one as I make the transition
festive mode around this time encourages people in the from university to working
of year, though, which helps us industry to celebrate big life. December starts off with
feel like we’re not missing out. and little wins? The wins in a big celebration – our class
Planning regular breaks around dentistry come from providing graduation! My family and I
this time of year can make honest, good-quality care to are celebrating with a road trip
up for missing out on the big patients. The wins can be as around the South Island. After
public holidays too. little as seeing a patient's oral that, I’ll be busy making the
hygiene improve after teaching move from Dunedin to Hamilton
What are you doing over the them how to brush and floss where I start my new job right
summer break? Do you do properly, to delivering a set of after the new year.
Fraser Jeffery anything to celebrate at this dentures restoring a patient's
President / New Zealand time of year? I’ll be leaving smile and confidence. You
Medical Students’ Association student life behind and starting celebrate these wins with the
work as a PGY1 this summer! patient and your dental team,
How important do you think I’m looking forward to starting and nothing is more rewarding
it is to acknowledge wins the next chapter after medical than seeing your patient leaving
and celebrate in your line of school, even if I have to say your clinic healthier and happier
work? I think in medicine we goodbye to university holidays. than when they came in!
don’t always have a lot of time I’ve just spent the last half of my
to celebrate our wins – there’s elective in Rarotonga, though, Dentistry sometimes
always more work to do and so I feel like I’ve probably had requires working outside of
more patients to treat. I don’t my fair share of sun. conventional hours, often
think that’s necessarily a bad over periods of celebration.
thing, though, since we’re not Do you have any tips on
in this line of work for our own incorporating celebration
personal success. The most Ming Yap into your work day so you
important thing is to help our President / New Zealand don't feel like you're missing
patients and their families. If Dental Students’ Association out? On every special occasion,
they are able to celebrate, then make sure you treat your team
that is satisfying enough for us! How do you celebrate your with some delicious sweet
own wins and successes, treats to celebrate the festivities
Working in medicine both personally and (but not too much sugar!).
sometimes requires working professionally? It usually Burnout is a very common issue
outside of conventional involves my family and a few of within our profession, so it is
hours, often over periods my closest friends out at dinner important that we set some
of celebration. Do you have with a couple of drinks. What is time aside to spend it with our
any tips on incorporating success if you can’t celebrate friends and family over periods
celebration into your work it with your family and friends? of celebration.
day so you don't feel like Usually wins come after a
you're missing out? I’m period of long and gruelling What are you doing over
graduating in November and work, so I also like to celebrate the summer break? Do you
can’t take annual leave over by treating myself with a do anything to celebrate
Christmas so I’m searching for weekend away with a couple at this time of year? My
these tips as much as anyone! of close friends. summer break will be a busy
on mas the magazine for mas members 25G greater good /
Sel f-care t i on
member story
C on n e c
Adventure From left / MAS Member Nisha Patel’s trip to
Queenstown for the TV show Adventure All Stars
Helping
saw her enjoy spas, skiing and being pampered
the
All Stars, which is set to air on TVNZ this of support. They are not alone. While 11,000
summer. The show provides an opportunity Kiwi mothers experience antenatal or
for anyone to undertake a fundraising postnatal depression each year, about 75
helpers
journey for their nominated charity, percent of them will not meet the maternal
culminating in the filming of the adventure mental health criteria, meaning they can’t
of a lifetime. access funded support.
The group of ambassadors were each “It doesn't make sense to me that a charity
What started out as an tasked with raising $10,000 for Mothers is providing a vital service for free or at low
opportunity to raise money for Helpers. Nisha was sponsored by MAS, cost when it should be publicly funded.
an important charity turned which donated $5,000 toward the I also felt that fundraising was an important
into an experience of personal initiative. As a thank you for fundraising, way of raising awareness about perinatal
growth and life-long friendships. the ambassadors were taken on a trip to depression and anxiety. As well as the
Queenstown in September where they financial support, I hope this fundraising
Antenatal and postnatal depression spent five days undertaking adventure will help reduce the stigma associated with
have impacts that are far-reaching and activities and challenges. this sort of mental illness.”
intergenerational.
She says it was a great opportunity to support Nisha says becoming a mother can change
Lack of support – particularly in the period a worthy charity, but it also gave her a chance people in ways they might not even realise, and
immediately after the birth – can mean to make connections with a group of like- it’s easy for them to lose their sense of self.
at-risk children develop behavioural and minded mothers and to grow as a person.
cognitive difficulties including learning “I’m a mum to my kids and a wife to my
difficulties, addictions and mental health “It was the group that made the experience husband but it took this trip away to realise
issues later in life. what it was. Getting to know the other women ‘Hey, I’m important too’. I think I laughed
and understand the different experiences more in those five days than I had in the
It’s an issue close to MAS Member Nisha they’d all been through was amazing. previous five years.”
Patel’s heart, so she jumped at the chance
to help support Mothers Helpers – a charity “It really was a once-in-a-lifetime Nisha says that over the past year there
that aims to prevent perinatal depression opportunity. There was a lot of personal has been a 14 percent increase in referrals
and anxiety and help with the recovery and growth that happened in that week.” to Mothers Helpers. She and her fellow
wellness of mothers who experience it. ambassadors raised about $100,000, which
Nisha says people close to her have been has helped the charity hire a new contractor to
Nisha – a vet and mother of two – was one affected by postnatal depression, and facilitate more postnatal depression recovery
of 12 ambassadors selected for Adventure she’s watched as they struggle with a lack groups and to train more facilitators.
26 summer 2019You can also read
