Mentoring Wānanga 2025
On Saturday, 15th March, Women in Health Network (WiHN) hosted our biggest event of the year – Wānanga! This powerful and inspiring gathering welcomed first-year students into the WiHN Mentoring Programme, a space to support their transition into competitive university courses like Biomedical Science and Health Science. With a strong focus on mentorship, community, and personal growth, the event brought together students, mentors, and leaders from across the healthcare disciplines to connect, learn, and uplift one another.
From the moment our mentees arrived, the energy was buzzing with excitement! The day's highlight was our Amazing Race-style scavenger hunt, where mentees and mentors teamed up to navigate the university and uncover hidden gems of campus life. As they raced from location to location, they tackled tricky university trivia, solved challenges, and participated in interactive activities designed to build teamwork, boost confidence, and create lasting friendships.
The competition heated up with roadblock activities that tested academic knowledge and creative problem-solving. From capturing fun memories at our perfectly pink photo wall to cracking tough anatomy questions in our "Troll Under the Bridge" challenge, each task encouraged our mentees to step outside their comfort zones while having a blast. The race ended with well-deserved rewards, as our top two teams walked away with incredible prizes from our generous sponsors! The winners took home gift baskets packed with vouchers from Seoul Night, BurgerFuel, Cosco Coffee, and Gong Cha, plus premium goodies from Dermal Therapy, Antipodes, and Pure Delish, just to name a few. A massive shoutout to UBIQ for gifting our mentees and mentors the cutest tote bags to take home!
Beyond the fun and friendly competition, Wānanga was about something much bigger – fostering a sense of whanaungatanga and showing our mentees that they belong in this space. Leading up to the event, our dedicated Specialty Leads ran a mentor training evening, equipping our mentors with essential skills to guide and support their mentees while maintaining a fulfilling university life. This mentoring journey is more than just advice; it’s about lifting each other, creating a strong support system, and inspiring future generations of wāhine in healthcare.
The connections made at Wānanga will continue to grow, shaping the next generation of healthcare leaders. To our incredible mentors, mentees, and the hardworking team behind the scenes – thank you for making this event a truly unforgettable experience!
Inspired to be a part of the WiHN community? Whether you’re a first-year student looking for guidance or a future mentor eager to make a difference, we’d love to have you join us! Stay connected for future events and opportunities!
- Written by Faiza Aboobacker!
