You might already be aware but our amazing mentors have WON AN AWARD!!!! Sound the klaxon, pop the champagne ( really, again?!) and hip hooray. They have only gone and bagged the 'Community Team Volunteer Award 2020'.

Who are these award winners? Why would they want to be mentors? And, most importantly, what's their go-to karaoke song? All pressing questions culminating in a new feature 'Wahine Like Me', where we get to probe, pinch and peel back the layers on their journey both in the health sector, with Wāhine Connect and, critically, what they watch on Netflix.

The plan is to mix things up each month and interview either an award winning ( have we mentioned that?) mentor, one of our fabulous mentees or a Wāhine Connect trustee.

Our first subject is double-threat mentor and trustee, Nicola Canter Burgoyne.

KŌRERO with Nikki Canter-Burgoyne

Mentor and Wāhine Connect Trustee

Kia ora Nikki! Tell us a bit about yourself - ko wai koe?

Kia ora e te whānau o Wāhine Connect. Ko Ngati Kahu, Te Rarawa oku iwi. Ko Nikki Canter-Burgoyne toku ingoa. I am 41 years old. Born and breed in Northland in a small settlement known as Karepoinia Hill (Māori for California Hill). Lived in Auckland for 20 years, and recently relocated to the beautiful Bream Bay with my husband Mike. We have a blended whānau of 5 tamariki aged between 16-24yrs. I wasn’t very good at school and had a baby at 16yrs so found my teen years and 20’s very challenging. I struggled with severe depression and multiple hospital visits which was also very difficult for my whānau. I still managed to gain employment and worked in banking & finance for a few years, qualified as a Paramedic and worked for 12 years at St John Ambulance and now work at the Ministry of Heath as the NZ Manager of Primary Care. I decided to give study an attempt and completed a BHSc Psychology and now completing the research component of my thesis for Masters in Science (Psychology). I have a strong passion to develop other wāhine , especially wāhine Māori. I like to watch others grow confidence in themselves and just give things a go. Life is not always about success, but it is about believing you can do something and committing to trying it.

How did you first hear about Wāhine Connect?

One of the doctors at NDHB – Dr Juliet Rumball-Smith, recently returned from her fellowship in the US, and I was keen to meet her to discuss life. I wanted to learn how Juliet managed her job and being a mum and wife. I was also beginning my thesis research, so asked her for some guidance. Next minute, I was signed up to Wāhine Connect as a mentee, and then eventually invited to be a board member. I starting in a mentoring role not long after so it all just came together.

What made you apply for a women-only mentorship programme?

I had spent a few years at Massey University as a mentee and then a mentor for the Te Rau Puawai Bursary programme and realised the value mentorship bought to not only students but to whānau and communities as a whole. As a mentee I thought it would be great to engage with other wāhine working in medicine/health to learn what worked well for them and what were some of their learnings. I also wanted to develop my networks as I knew this would help me develop professionally.

Any worries about becoming a mentor?

I was a little nervous at first – I thought mentoring professional wāhine and not just students would be much more challenging, but then I realised that it was like catching up with a friend on a regular basis to share ideas. That there were other wāhine out there like me and just needed the opportunity to connect.

What were your expectations and were they met?

I expected that the role would be very challenging and time demanding, but it wasn’t. I expected to find satisfaction in supporting other wāhine and I received this tenfold over. It was such an amazing warm feeling in my puku when I saw wāhine flourish.

What did you do to prepare for your first meeting with your mentee?

I read through the programme expectations for both the mentor and mentee prior to our first hui, and made some notes to help me guide the kōrero. I made sure I had protected time when I met with them so they felt confident I was 100% focused on what they were talking about. I had to also ensure I was well in myself with my wairua (spiritual), hinengaro (mental), whānau (family) and tinana (physical) health being balanced to make sure I could offer the mentees the best of me.

What did a meeting with your mentee look like?

They were mostly done over Zoom, and I think virtual hui is more a common practice now. There was always an option to meet kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face) if required. As the hui progressed, I would review what was previously discussed and check in to see how mentees were progressing with any goals they had set.

I would dedicate 1 hour but sometimes we would use all of this and sometimes we would finish early. One of my mentees had young children, so I had to be flexible to her whānau needs to ensure the hui had the right setting for her to get the most out of it.

Is the process more or less formal than you expected?

A mix between both formal and informal. Each mentee has different needs, so as a mentor you need to be able to adjust to their needs easily. What works for some won’t work for others, but this is what is fun and challenging about the role.

Has Wāhine Connect helped you find other ways to build supportive relationships with women at work?

As a result of this programme, I tend to always have my mentor radar on and take every opportunity to support wāhine as best I can in their mahi. For some, success means climbing the corporate ladder and for others it is more about balancing work life balance. Whatever they wish to better themselves in, I am always there to support and drive them. I am also there to provide moral support and just be a listening ear.

Looking back, how have you found being a mentor?

Being a mentor has definitely been a journey for myself. I find myself naturally doing it now and my husband will often bump into people and refer them my way. If I had more hours in the day, I would definitely commit more time to it.

What has been the greatest benefit to being a mentor in the programme so far?

Being a mentor has developed my self-confidence and self-belief that I can actually be of some value to others. Growing up and after having my baby so young, I felt really worthless and like I could never do anything right, so I am grateful that Wāhine Connect has not allowed me to develop others but also my own self-worthiness.

What would be your top tip for getting the most out of the process?

Understand what your mentee’s expectations are of the process in your first hui. Allow the first hui to be about whanaungatanga (relationship building). Connect with them in genuine manner and this will help you get the most out of the process.

Netflix or no? Definitely Netflix! Except I am really bad at choosing movies so leave it to my whānau to choose.

Go-to Karaoke song? Adele – Someone like you. Unfortunately I am a really bad singer, so often they turn my mic off.

Who would play you in a movie of your life? Kristen Wiig – lead actress ‘Annie’ in the movie Bridesmaids. I think I am really funny and I am really competitive, but sometimes my great ideas don’t always work out as planned. I am a good friend though who is always there to help out day or night.