about me

Dr Ta’avale Ioana Mulipola

  • Bachelor of Health Science (BHSc-Nursing)

  • Post Grad Certificate & Diploma in Advanced Nursing

  • Masters of Nursing (MNursing)

  • Doctor of Health Science - Mental Health (DHSc)

Malo le soifua maua ma le lagi e mama,

I am Dr Ta’avale Ioana Mulipola. I am a proud Samoan woman, born and raised in the villages of Vailu’utai and Fasito’otai. I currently reside in Aotearoa, New Zealand. I have worked in clinical practice mental health for over 17 years across Counties Manukau, Auckland District Health Board and Te Whatu Ora.

My nursing journey began at Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT), where I decided to specialise in mental health. I have also undertaken further study, completing my post-graduate diploma in advanced nursing and Masters of Nursing at the University of Auckland and a Doctor of Health Science at the Auckland University of Technology.

I am currently a Lecturer at the Nursing School at the Environmental Health & Sciences Faculty of Auckland University of Technology.

Following the completion of my Doctor of Health Science in 2023, I founded the Fau Gagana Practice. It is a passion project, reflecting my advocacy of the importance of culture in understanding mental health and wellbeing. 

I highly value the merging of cultural knowledge and clinical mental health nursing skills to create a difference to my Samoan community.

My positionality as a nurse is informed by my lived experience as a tama’ita’i Samoa and first-generation migrant woman in Aotearoa New Zealand.

In turn, I see nursing as a living practice where its application is an art of merging both cultural and clinical knowledge.

This approach includes :

  • A Samoan nurse’s perspective on the medical model of care in mental health

  • The merging of clinical & cultural knowledge to benefit Samoan/Pacific consumers

  • Understanding Samoan cultural interpretations of mental health and mental illness

  • Addressing barriers & challenges for Samoans and Pacific consumers in mental health

  • Understanding information about services, where and how to access help

  • Pacific health belief models

  • Pacific mental health services

  • Using the Fa’afaletui methodology in nursing research

VALUES of the fau gagana practice

ALOFA (LOVE)

Sharing knowledge and understanding of mental health to empower communities to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.

FA’AALOALO (RESPECT)

Information is delivered in a respectful language, and interactions with others are always aligned with cultural and professional boundaries. 

TAUTUA (SERVICE)

Using mental health clinical and cultural knowledge to serve the Samoan people in NZ, and around the globe.

FETAUSIA’I (RECIPROCITY)

Growing networks and connection with communities and stakeholders to share knowledge and support initiatives/projects to empower communities.