<p style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size:12px">Graham wh&#257;nau (front right) with Ng&#257;ti Hauiti wh&#257;nau, the Whakauae Board and team at R&#257;t&#257; Marae.</span></em></p>

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<p>A p&#333;whiri was held at R&#257;t&#257; Marae for Dr Aria Graham (Ng&#257;ti Kahungungu, Ng&#257;ti P&#333;rou, Samoan), and members of her wh&#257;nau, on the beautiful late summer morning of 18 March 2019. During the p&#333;whiri, Aria was also welcomed to Whakauae where she is taking up the position of Post-doctoral Fellow. She brings with her the strong support of her wh&#257;nau along with extensive practice experience in a range of nursing roles in the Hawke&rsquo;s Bay region. Aria will continue to be based at Te Aute, near Hastings, whilst also working regularly alongside the team at the Whanganui-based Whakauae Research centre.</p>

<p>Aria was awarded her doctoral degree from Victoria University of Wellington in 2018. Her thesis, Tika Tonu&mdash;Young M&#257;ori mothers&rsquo; experiences of wellbeing surrounding the birth of their first tamaiti, used a kaupapa M&#257;ori methodology to explore the contextual realities influencing the experience of young M&#257;ori mothers from their own perspectives. Dr Amohia Boulton supported Aria&rsquo;s study during her journey, acting as one of her PhD supervisors. Whakauae looks forward to now sharing in the next stage of Aria&rsquo;s journey as she begins her post-doctoral work.</p>

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