Nursing success

Te Rūnanga o Moeraki would like to take the time to recognise the achievements and on-going success of Kara Jane Roderick-Wandless.

Kara is the daughter of Rangimarie-Sally Whitau-Wast and a moko of Irirangi and Mohi Whitau. She is married to Roger Wandless and has three children, Tayla, 11, Nico, three-and-a-half and Tasman, who is 19-months-old.

In 2007, Kara graduated with a bachelor of nursing from Southern Institute of Technology and has since completed post-graduate studies at Auckland University, in order to become a registered nurse – first surgical assistant (RNFSA). Even though she fell pregnant with her third child, mid-way through her final studies, she pushed through and finished.

Kara was part of the second intake of students to study the post-graduate course and she is the first Ngāi Tahu member to become a qualified theatre assistant.

Since graduation, she has spent time working in the public health sector but now works in the private sector, assisting at a theatre belonging to her post-graduate supervisor, who is an orthopaedic surgeon.
“This role is a lot more flexible with a young family and a husband that works in the theatre environment,” she says.

Her husband has similar interests working as a consultant anaesthetist.

In 2008, Kara became the chair for the Perioperative Nurses College, from the Southland region. She recently organised and helped to host this year’s Perioperative Nurses College National Conference, held in Queenstown. The theme for the conference was ‘Our Knowledge – Your Power’. She says organising the event was an amazing experience.

In her spare time, Kara likes to cycle. She is currently training for the Conquer Cancer race, which will be held in Auckland next month.
Next year she will compete in her first Ironman-Wanaka Challenge. Kara’s whānau are very proud of her and her efforts, best wishes Kara.