Your voice at a
national level
History of NZMSA...
The New Zealand Medical Students’ Association (NZMSA), is student run association established in 1972. We have a proud history of representing medical students, and there have been a few highlights along the way. Our vision is to represent, unite, and empower New Zealand medical students on the views, issues and concerns relevant to them. The overall goal of our work is to improve the health of New Zealanders.
NZMSA Meet the team
Executive Officers
Thomas Swinburn
President
Tēnā koutou katoa! My name is Tom Swinburn and I am thrilled to be leading NZMSA as the President in 2023. I’ve completed five years of medical school in Tāmaki Makarau and Kirikiriroa, and this year I will be undertaking a population health epidemiology BMedSci(Hons) project. I have three priorities for my tenure:
1. Convening a focus on one high-level advocacy project of national importance
2. Continuing to strengthen the relationship between NZMSA and Te Oranga
3. Leading a collaborative, visible organisation with integrity and accountability
If you’re unsure who is the best person to hear out your idea, thoughts, or concerns, please get in touch and I’ll be able to help you out or direct you to the person that can!
Olivia Gray
VPE
Kia ora, e te whānau, my name is Liv (she/her) and I am stoked to be the VP Workforce 2022. I will be based in Ngāmotu (New Plymouth) as a TI in 2023. I’m excited to represent my classmates as we head into our final year of medical school. I am a keen baker, runner and coffee drinker. I’m always here for a chat so please get in touch if there is anything I can do to help.
Patrick Macaskill-Webb
VPE
I’m a 5th-Year Medical Student based in Tāmaki Makaurau and grew up in Hamilton. Medicine is my second bachelor's degree - the first was at the New Zealand School of Music in Wellington. Although now in a different field I still enjoy engaging with people through events of all kinds. I’m new to NZMSA this year, but not new to event management, so get in touch anytime you or your association may need support with project engagement.
Indira Fernando
Vice-President Advocacy
Kia ora! My name is Indira and I am honored to be the VP advocacy for NZMSA this year. I am looking forward to trying to achieve tangible change that will benefit our future doctors! I am going into my 5th year in 2023 and will be based in the wonderful and windy Pōneke. I am always keen for a yarn so please feel free to get in touch
Officers
Ashley Pereira
Treasurer
Kia Ora Koutou!
I’m Ashley (he/him), I was born in Oman and grew up in Tāmaki Makaurau and I’m the NZMSA Treasurer for 2023. In my spare time, I like to play or write a bit of music, try my hand at cooking something new in the kitchen or mindlessly browse Tiktok.
If you have any questions about NZMSA’s finances or if you're just looking for funding for future project, don’t hesitate to get in touch :))
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Gabrielle Ou
Partnerships Officer
Kia ora!
I’m Gaby (she/her) and I am the 2023 Partnerships officer. I’m from Hamilton but will be based in Rotorua this year. Please contact me about anything sponsorship related! This year I am excited to work with our partners to help bring our events/initiatives to life.
Please reach out to me via the email above
Lorna Pairman
Secretary
Kia ora everyone. My name is Lorna (she/her) and I am excited to be your secretary for 2023. I was born in Ōtautahi and this is where I currently study. I have finished ALM5 and in 2023 I will be taking a break from medicine to pursue a PhD in medical informatics and data visualization. In my free time I enjoy all things outdoors, especially cross country running, tramping, and rock climbing. I am also a huge coffee fan, so if you want to kōrero over a hot drink feel free to contact me!
My role as secretary involves organising meetings and elections, and helping with the day to day running of the organisation. Prior to being elected into this role I was the CMSA rep on NZMSA and hence I am looking forward to furthering the mahi of the NZMSA executive this year.
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Andrew Xiao
Communications Officer
Ni hao, my name is Andrew and I’m a pretty big NBA fan (go Nets) so if you ever want to tell me how your team is better (they aren’t) feel free to have a yarn with me. I’m also managing the website so if you have any issues or want to tell me how great of a job I am doing, feel free to contact me at my email or through the contact form on the website!
NZMSA Representatives
Mukish Yelanchezian
Auckland Pre-Clinical Representative
Kia ora,
I am Mukish I am undertaking a BMedsci (Hons) year in 2023 before going into my clinical years. A bit about myself I love good yarns, coffee, hikes so if you ever wanna catch up over coffee I am your man. I am quite passionate about medical student wellbeing and am commited to ensuring that we get the best medical school experience. In that vein if you are having any difficulties in medical school feel free to approach me and we can work on it together. I might not be able to solve it but I will certainly try.
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Angad Chauhan
Wellington Representative
Kia Ora! I am Angad (he/him) and currently in my 5th year of MBChB. I enjoy travelling and cooking. I am looking forward to travelling a lot of places this year as I haven’t been able to do much globe exploring in the last few years. I am also passionate about sustainability. We’ve started a sustainability group here in the Te Whanganui-a-Tara
campus and always welcome new members and ideas. I am always happy for a chat over a coffee so do say hi if you ever see me around!
Chhavi Breja
Auckland Clinical Representative
Coming soon...
Erin Roxburgh
Christchurch Representative
Christchurch
Erin Roxburgh
Kia ora koutou!
My name is Erin and I am the NZMSA representative for Christchurch for 2023.
I am currently doing my TI year here in Ōtautahi, and am really looking forward to an exciting year with NZMSA!
Please don't hesitate to reach out if there's anything you want to chat about over the year!
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Steering Committee
Rosie Carr-Smith
WHPSA President
Kia ora e te whānau! My name is Rosie (she/her) and I am honoured to be representing Pōneke medical students on NZMSA’s Steering Committee as the 2023 WHPSA President. Some of my passions include medical student wellbeing and medical education. I am so excited to support NZMSA in its endeavors.
Outside of a hectic TI year you can find me baking up a storm (brownies are my signature), exploring the sights of Welly or on a horse if I am home in Auckland. If you see me around the hospital, feel free to say hi or hit me up for a chat. I am always open to hearing from you and having a coffee or two.
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Duncan Finlayson
OUMSA ALM President
Kia ora e te whānau, my name is Duncan (he/him) and I have the pleasure of representing the clinical meddies from Ōtepoti, as the president of the ALM OUMSA exec. I’m looking forward to working closely with NZMSA to advocate for medical students across the motu.
Nick Newman
AUMSA VPA
Tēnā tātou,
I am Nick the Vice President of Administration for AUMSA in 2023 and I’m currently starting my fourth year of Medicine. I have previous experience sitting on the AUMSA council for the last two years as a Class rep for the Class of 2025. A role of which I have sadly given up, in order to devote more time to being VPA.
This year I am excited to work alongside many student passionate representatives in order to guide the direction of NZMSA, and create positive change for our members.
Cheers,
Nick
Helaman Luki
Te Oranga Tumuaki
Tēnā koutou katoa! Tēnei au nō Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngai Tahu, Ngāti Hāmoa, Ngāti Niue hoki. Ko Helaman Luki tōku ingoa. He tumuaki o Te Oranga.
Kia ora everyone, my name is Hela and I'm the president of the Māori Medical Students Association - Te Oranga. In my role I oversee the welfare of Māori medical students, advocate on their behalf, and help coordinate events to encourage the integration of Te Ao Māori in their lives as tauira rata. We have an exciting year ahead of us and I am fortunate to be a part of such a talented and clever team. Mauri ora!
Lizzie Stevenson
CMSA President
Kia ora koutou, I am Lizzie (she/her), and feel so fortunate to be on the 2023 NZMSA Steering Committee helping represent Ōtautahi and New Zealand medical students. I look forward to working with this wonderful team and supporting NZMSA to make meaningful change for us all as tauira.
When not on the wards, I love working on our family sheep and beef farm in North Canterbury (especially driving tractors), exploring the outdoors (often getting lost), playing the piano (usually poorly), and having a laugh with family and friends.
Please feel free to get in touch with me at any time! Looking forward to a wonderful 2023 ahead.
Kate Dunstall
AUMSA VPE
I’m Kate (she/her) the Vice President Education for AUMSA. I’m a TI based at Middlemore Hospital. I’m also the Rural Representative for the NZMSA Equity Advisory Board. I am excited to represent the voice of UoA students during my time with NZMSA.
In my spare time I enjoy gymming, hiking, reading and am currently dabbling in waka ama. I too enjoy a beverage of sorts so if you would like to koorero over a coffee let me know!
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Isaac Samuels
AUMSA Māngai Māori
Teenaa koutou e te iwi! Ko Isaac Samuels tooku ingoa. He uri ahau no Waikato-Tainui, Ngaati Hauaa me Ngaati Tuuwharetoa hoki. I am a TI at Middlemore Hospital and am privileged to be the AUMSA Maangai Maaori representative for 2023 and aim to do my best to portray the collective voice of Tauira Maaori within UoA’s medical program. I am excited to see how we, as a collective, can work towards the betterment of student wellbeing by bringing our collective knowledge and skillsets into the NZMSA team. If you’re a Maaori medical student from Taamaki and ever need anything at all, feel free to get in touch, my inbox is always open. Mauri ora!
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Monica Thompson-Tahau
Te Oranga Tumuaki Tuarua
Tēnā tātou, I’m Monica and I am the Tumuaki Tuarua of Te Oranga for 2023. Te Oranga is our national Māori Medical Students’ Association and we provide academic, pastoral and cultural support to tauira Māori. As a part of this we work closely with NZMSA and I will sit on the Steering committee.
I’m definitely a water baby, so any free time I have you will catch me at the beach, river or pool. I am a TI ki Heretaunga this year, and am looking forward to all the exciting new experiences which are coming our way.
Denver Ruwhiu
Te Oranga Kaituhi
Tēnā tātou. I’m Denver and I represent Te Oranga on 2023’s new Steering Committee.
In my free time you’ll find me at the gym, eating korean food or binge-watching shows.
This year I’m excited to meet new people, try new food and take up new roles, so my motto for this year is “less hui, more do-ey”. If you need to be in contact, feel free to send an me an email
Ex-Officio Officers
Awhi Pearce
NZMSA Conference Convenor
Tēnā koutou, ko wai au?
He uri au nö Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Tūwharetoa hoki
Ko Te Whānau-a-Ruataupare ko Turumakina öku hapū
Ko Awhina ahau.
Kia ora kia ora, my name is Awhina - though I'm mostly known by Awhi - and I'm a loud and proud Māori, takatāpui wahine with a penchant for picking up every instrument I can get my hands on. It's my privilege and pleasure to hold the title of NZMSA Conference Co-Convener, and alongside my team an exciting kaupapa is unfurling!
Reach me at conference@nzmsa.org.nz for any queries!