Māori mum-of-eight Juanita Parata graduates with degree earned during cancer treatment
Juanita Parata graduated with a Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging) from Unitec this week.
Parata, 58, had chemotherapy over the course of her four-year degree and completed some of her studies from her sickbed.
She is now fully qualified and works at Whangārei Hospital as a medical imaging technologist.
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The return of cancer for a second time didn’t stop Juanita Parata from completing her Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging) and graduating this week.
The 58-year-old mother-of-eight overcame cancer for a second time while completing the four-year degree, often logging in to study while having chemotherapy at Auckland hospital.
Supported by her whānau, Parata (Ngāpuhi) finally donned her capping gown and korowai for the graduation at Auckland’s Aotea Square on Tuesday, at an event Parata said made her feel “blessed”.
Parata began her studies in 2018 in her 50s, inspired by her two younger sisters - both nurses.
“I had always been interested in the medical field but had never until then acted on it” she told the Herald.
She chose medical imaging because it appealed more at her age than nursing.
I am full of admiration for her. She is working in an area where we need more Māori practitioners, and doing the business in Northland.
Medical imaging involves using techniques like X-rays, ultrasound, and MRI to create pictures of the inside of the body for clinical analysis and medical intervention, aiding in the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses.
It’s a specialty Parata has hard-won lived experience of.
In 2009 she experienced invasive breast cancer, surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment. The cancer returned in 2018, when she was about to embark on her studies.
“In February 2019, I underwent a full mastectomy of my left breast and in April of that year, chemotherapy,” she said.
“After lengthy discussions with whānau and Unitec staff, I made the decision to continue with studies.”
Through treatments, fatigue and lockdowns, Parata continued the four-year degree, finishing late last year.
Dr Joanna Thorogood, Unitec’s medical imaging academic programme manager, said she found Parata’s work ethic and determination inspirational.
Even her classmates didn’t know of her health issues, she said.
“It is incredible that she managed to get through the degree with the health challenges she faced,” she told the Herald.
“She said I want to get on with this. We offered to defer things and asked if she wanted to take a year out, but she said ‘no, I’m carrying on and I’m going to do this.’
“I am full of admiration for her. She is working in an area where we need more Māori practitioners, and doing the business in Northland.”
After completing her studies, Parata got a job at Whangārei Hospital serving her people as a new graduate.
She recently gave a presentation at the Northland/Auckland New Zealand Institute of Medical Radiation Technology (NZIMRT) study day, to support medical imaging technologists’ knowledge of an unusual and highly specialised hip X-ray projection.
Parata’s cancer is in remission but she will continue with annual CT and mammogram tests and remain on hormone suppressants until 2029.
Tuesday’s graduation capped a great year for Parata and her whānau.
“I have had really good support from my husband, whānau and kids, and we have just had our 13th grandchild and our first great-granddaughter was born a month ago” she told the Herald.
Parata credits her parents for her drive and determination: they were rural Māori who settled in west Auckland and helped establish urban Māori organisations such as Hoani Waititi Marae.
She hopes her story will inspire others.
“I hope my journey will serve as an inspiration to others to do what it takes to achieve their dreams - particularly tangata Māori,” Juanita said.
“I ... acknowledge and thank those who supported me, my whānau as well as my whānau whānui o Te Pukenga me Te Whatu Ora Te Taitokerau.
“I see this as our success and our celebration. He mihi nunui tenei kia koutou mo o tautoko mai, no reira ma te kaukura ka rere te manu ka rere au. Thank you all for your support, which has allowed me to soar.”
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Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
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51.9% Human-centred experience and communication
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15% Critical thinking
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30.1% Resilience and adaptability
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3% Other - I will share below!
The Gospel’s Relevance Today**
The Gospel, meaning ‘good news’, is the cornerstone of the message contained in the Bible’s first four books—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. While these records were written approximately 2,000 years ago, a natural question arises: why is this Gospel still relevant and vital for us today? This analysis seeks to explore what the Bible itself defines as the Gospel and to understand its enduring significance.
**Defining the Gospel: Core Biblical References**
The Gospel is not a vague concept; Scripture provides clear descriptions of its content and focus.
* **The Gospel of the Kingdom:** In Matthew 4:23, as Jesus begins his ministry, he is described as “preaching the gospel of the kingdom.” This immediately establishes that the good news is centrally about a kingdom—the Kingdom of God. His accompanying miracles served to validate the authority of this message.
* **The Gospel of Jesus Christ:** Mark 1:1 opens with, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Here, “Christ” is a title meaning ‘anointed one’. Thus, the good news is intrinsically about Jesus: his identity as the Anointed One and his unique status as the Son of God.
* **The Gospel of God’s Grace:** In Acts 20:24, the Apostle Paul speaks of his mission to “testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Grace signifies an undeserved gift. This reveals that the Gospel involves a gift from God, offered not because it is merited, but out of His benevolence.
* **The Gospel of Salvation and Peace:** Romans 1:16 declares the Gospel is “the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,” breaking down barriers between Jew and Gentile (Greek). Furthermore, Romans 10:15 calls it the “gospel of peace,” pointing to a future state of peace brought about by this message.
* **The Gospel Summarised:** 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 provides a foundational summary. Paul reminds believers of the gospel he preached, “by which also you are saved.” He then states its core historical facts: “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” The Gospel is therefore rooted in the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus.
In synthesis, the Gospel is the good news of **salvation and future peace in the Kingdom of God**, made possible by **the grace of God** and **the obedient sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ**, and offered to all who believe.
**Old Testament Foundations: The Gospel Preached to Abraham**
A crucial question is whether the Gospel is confined to the New Testament. Scripture shows its foundations were laid much earlier. Galatians 3:8 states explicitly that “the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed.’”
This reference points back to Genesis 12:1-3, where God made profound promises to Abraham: to make him a great nation, to bless those who blessed him, and that “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” These promises—later reaffirmed to Isaac and Jacob—form the bedrock of the Gospel hope. The good news of salvation through Christ is the fulfillment of how **all nations** would be blessed through Abraham’s “seed.”
**The Gospel’s Personal Relevance: Good News for You Today**
How does this ancient message become “good news for you” today? The application is clearly outlined in Galatians 3.
* **Access through Faith in Christ:** Galatians 3:26 declares, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” The promise made to Abraham is now extended to anyone with faith in Jesus.
* **The Role of Baptism:** Verse 27 explains, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Baptism is the God-appointed act of faith that identifies a believer with Christ’s death and resurrection.
* **Unity and Inheritance:** Verses 28-29 reveal the glorious outcome: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Through the Gospel, all barriers are removed; believers become spiritual descendants of Abraham and heirs to the promises of the Kingdom.
This Gospel was once a mystery hidden in God’s purpose (Ephesians 3:3-9). Now, it has been revealed: the unsearchable riches of Christ, offering salvation to all who heed the call, believe the message, and are baptised into him.
**Conclusion: An Enduring and Open Invitation**
The Gospel is far more than a historical account; it is the living, powerful good news of God’s plan for salvation. It is rooted in promises to Abraham, accomplished through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and open to all people without distinction. It offers a tangible hope—the hope of resurrection, peace, and an inheritance in the coming Kingdom of God. This is why the Gospel remains profoundly relevant. It is an invitation to listen, believe, and stand firm in this hope, linking our lives today to the eternal purpose of God.
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