Arihia Waitai-Morehu, Clinic Coordinator

From Medical Receptionist to Clinic Coordinator

Read Arihia’s story to discover how an opportunity at Tāmaki Health helped her grow from a part-time Medical Receptionist into a Clinic Coordinator.

Starting with Tāmaki Health

When I first applied with Tāmaki Health I was in my second year of university and simply looking for a job that would fit in with my schedule, and the reception role which I would later secure at White Cross Lunn Ave fit quite well. Tāmaki Health did, after some research appear to be a company that had a lot about it, and as someone who was studying in the healthcare field at that time, I felt excited to be part of this company.

Growing into a new role

My role in formal terms is to oversee the daily operations, administrative tasks and staff workflow of my clinic, through organizing people, schedules and resources to ensure projects, programs and appointments run smoothly all while ensuring high quality patient care is provided. Realistically, in this role its like being a team of people, an IT person, a secretary, a calendar, a carpenter, a personal shopper, a therapist etc. You are the first person that the team will come to for anything they need, and that really is a privilege.

I joined Tāmaki Health in 2024 as a Medical Receptionist while studying Full-Time. In 2026 I decided to take a gap year and inquired if there were any Full-Time Medical Receptionist positions available. To my avail I was offered the opportunity to take on the Clinic Coordinator role here at White Cross Northmed for a 1-year period. This offer was both exciting while also scary as the only person I could relate this role to was my current Clinic Coordinator of Lunn Ave, however with the encouragement from both her and the operation manager I decided to take on the offer, and it so far has been one of the best decisions I have made.

Since joining Tāmaki Health back in 2024 I have since taken up the role I currently have of Clinic Coordinator. This role has been a shift in both the responsibilities but also the location that I would normally take on. I have picked up a number of new skills, and responsibilities in accordance with taking on this role, alongside now working in the North Shore rather than in Central Auckland.

Through my career development my experiences with the company have broadened exponentially. Being in this role I feel so much more a sense of worth and belonging, whether that be due to the fact that I work with my colleagues much more often or due to the increased responsibilities placed on me, I can not say. I do however feel extremely comfortable and grateful for the experiences I have had so far.

I started as a Part Time Medical Receptionist at a Hybrid Clinic then was provided and took up the opportunity to work Full-Time as a Clinic Coordinator in a GP only setting. I have had a plethora of opportunity to learn new skills and take on more responsibility.

What I enjoy most

I’ll be honest the main thing that keeps me coming back is the people I work alongside. The interpersonal relationships that I have developed with my colleagues is what not only keeps me coming back but also encourages me to do extra for them.

Additionally, the ability to know that you can support patients in their health and wellbeing every day that you come in is also encouragement to come back every day.

Also, being depended on is a huge factor. Knowing that the people I work with or patients or contractors are all depending on me turning up, that feeling is also a push to make sure you turn up every day.

A moment I’m proud of

While there are many small wins, moments or achievements that I have, the specific moment that I will always remember is being offered to take on the position that I currently hold.

I worked part time, mainly on the weekends or short end of day shifts, never did I think that this sort of role would be something that I would be offered, and furthermore for my Clinic Coordinator and Operations Manager to be so encouraging for me to take this on, I felt like a mini superstar.

Being part of the team

My clinic is a fairly little team made up of under 15 people, working with them is like working alongside your close friends or family. You can depend on them to do what they need to do and they can feel the same way back. We assist where we can and within our scope, we help each other in whatever means we can, we support each other, we lift each other up and we enjoy being with each other which makes the atmosphere and environment within out clinic so good.

Further to these having relationships with the other clinic coordinators and being able to openly and freely ask questions or advice from each other is something that is so special.

Being part of my team here, my wider cc team and then the company team in general, it’s a good feeling, and good feeling to be part of a team of people all with the same goal.

Why join Tāmaki Health?

Tāmaki Health: If you are interested in health, if you have that innate feeling of “wanting to help people”, if you want to be part of a multi-disciplinary team of amazing people, if you want to be part of a progressive company, Tāmaki Health is an amazing choice.

Clinic Coordinator: A role where there are no two days the same, where you are the go to gal or guy or person, the knowledge centre, the fixer centre. If you enjoy or are happy to be depended on, this role will fit you well.

Three words to describe my experience at Tāmaki Health?

• Whakatuutataki (Fulfil)
• Manaakitanga (To uplift, be kind, respectful, be generous)
• Kotahitanga (To be together, shared purpose)