Grace Mata'afa
Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science in Mental Health and Addictions student
Graduate Certificate in Health Science
Bachelor of Health Science in Health Administration
AUT’s supportive environment makes it the perfect university for her, says Grace Mata'afa who is currently studying a Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science in Mental Health and Addictions.
“My journey with AUT began with a Bachelor of Health Science. After graduating, I worked in a public health service where I gained experience supporting individuals, families and communities. Through this work, I found myself becoming increasingly interested in mental health and addictions, and the impact these areas have on people, whānau and communities. I wanted to continue learning and develop the skills needed to support people in a meaningful way, which led me back to AUT. I returned to AUT in 2025 to complete a Graduate Certificate in Health Science before progressing into my current postgraduate certificate.
“Returning to study after a few years away could have felt overwhelming, but the support from AUT made the transition much easier. From the lecturers to the student support services, I’ve always felt like there are people who genuinely want to see me succeed. The Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences provided guidance and encouragement throughout my journey, and the student support services were incredibly helpful with their prompt responses and willingness to assist whenever I needed support. Having people who were approachable and supportive made it easier to navigate university life. I always knew there was someone I could reach out to if I needed guidance.”
She loves learning about an area she is genuinely passionate about.
“I believe when you’re studying something you truly love and connect with, everything you learn just feels different. Your mindset changes, you become more focused, and you feel more ‘locked in’ because you understand the purpose behind what you’re learning and how it connects to the work you hope to do in the future.
“Returning to AUT has allowed me to rediscover my love for learning. I didn’t expect to enjoy coming back to study as much as I have, but it has reminded me that learning is a lifelong journey. E sui faiga, ae tumau fa’avae – approaches and methods change, but foundations stay the same. This Samoan proverb resonates with my journey because although my pathway has changed over time, my foundations have remained constant: my God, my aiga, my values and my passion to serve others. AUT has allowed me to continue building on those foundations while discovering new ways to grow personally and professionally.”
Practical and supportive
Grace says the opportunity to connect her learning with real-world experiences is what she has loved most about her studies.
“The use of case studies has helped me apply my learning to situations that reflect what we may encounter in practice, while developing my understanding of different perspectives within mental health and addictions. I’ve also appreciated the guest lecturers who share their knowledge and experiences from within the field. These opportunities allow us to learn more about the realities of working in mental health and addictions, and gain insight from people who have experience in the areas we hope to work in. My lecturers have been incredibly valuable throughout this journey. Their experiences and knowledge have helped me better understand the sector beyond the classroom.”
There are a few staff whose support she has particularly appreciated throughout her time at AUT.
“I received great support from the Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, including the programme administration and academic staff – Suzette Jackson, Josie Young, Andrew Sutherland and the team. It has been incredibly valuable throughout my journey. The prompt responses, guidance and encouragement I received made returning to study feel much easier to navigate. I’ve really appreciated having staff who are approachable, understanding and genuinely invested in helping students succeed. Their support has helped me feel more confident as I continue building my pathway towards a future in mental health and addictions.”
Advice for other students
Grace has some great advice for other students who are only at the start of their own university journey.
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Asking for help isn’t a weakness, it is a strength. Sometimes we create habits of self-doubt and hold ourselves back because we question whether our concerns are important or whether our questions are valid. But reaching out is part of growth. Every question is an opportunity to learn, every conversation is an opportunity to connect, and every person you ask for support can help you move one step closer to your goals.
“Don’t be afraid of redirection. Sometimes the path we planned for ourselves changes, but that doesn’t mean we’ve lost our way. It can be an opportunity to learn, grow and trust the journey ahead. There’s always another door that can open, another opportunity waiting and another chance to keep moving forward.”
She is grateful to have her aiga, her church and her faith to support her every step of the way.
“As a proud Samoan woman, I know that I don’t walk this journey alone. I carry my faith and aiga with me wherever I go. Every achievement is connected to the love, sacrifices, encouragement and prayers of the people who have supported me throughout my life.”
