Meg Harland
Warm Dry Healthy Homes Coordinator, Kootuitui Ki Papakura
Bachelor of Health Science in Public and Environmental Health with a minor in Māori Development
She has always wanted to pursue a career that would enable her to help people and give back to her community, says Meg Harland who came to AUT to study a Bachelor of Health Science in Public and Environmental Health.
“Public health and environmental health combines my desire to help others with my passion for fighting inequities and injustices in our health system. The avenues to pursue within public health are endless, and my degree has equipped me with the tools to do so.”
Since graduating from AUT in 2022, she now works for Kootuitui Ki Papakura and loves helping more families live in warm, dry and healthy homes.
“Did you know that children in Papakura are three times more likely to live in a cold, damp and mouldy home? Everyone deserves to live in an environment that isn’t making them sick, and it’s fulfilling to be part of making this a reality.
“In this role I’m conducting educational workshops to help people keep their homes healthy, assess the technical aspects of houses, and assist in installing materials to keep homes warm and dry. Since March 2023, my team and I have assessed and installed in nearly 70 homes. Nothing is more rewarding than hearing that we’re making a positive impact on people's lives.”
Relevant to the ever-changing world
When she started her degree in early 2020, Meg couldn’t have imagined how quickly the public health sector – and the world – would change.
“2020 and the pandemic was an incredibly transformative and difficult time for all of us. Starting my degree at this unprecedented time was scary and nothing seemed certain. Throughout my time at AUT, my studies remained extremely relevant to the ever-changing world we live in. AUT fostered my resilience and, despite the challenges of completing my degree through the pandemic, my lecturers were unwavering in their support.”
Her studies also inspired her to learn more about te ao Māori and Māori health, and led her to include a Māori Development minor as part of her degree.
“My lecturers Associate Professor Heather Came and Dr Patsi Davies sparked my curiosity for hauora Māori, and highlighted the injustices in our health system that fail our indigenous and minority communities. I decided to minor in Māori development to better educate myself on te ao Māori. This has enabled me to more deeply understand public health in the context of Aotearoa New Zealand.”
Advice for other students
The people you meet and the connections you make at university can be powerful, Meg says.
“Don’t be afraid to raise your hand or volunteer to help. Everyone in your classroom will have similar interests and passions, and it’s incredible to discover the perspective of likeminded individuals.”
She would highly recommend the Bachelor of Health Science in Public and Environmental Health to other students.
“I recommend this programme to anyone who is interested in improving the health of our communities, our country and our world. AUT has enabled me to be flexible and learn about the things I’m passionate about; the things that matter to me.”
