At age 17 Staverton Kautoke faced a dilemma. He had to choose between a career in accounting, becoming a man of the cloth, or studying to become a doctor.
The second eldest of seven children Staverton opted for the career in medicine.
He comes from a family of high achievers, his father is an economist working for the African Caribbean Pacific Group of States (ACP) as the Assistant Secretary General based in Geneva, Switzerland. Staverton’s sister is completing a degree in law and his younger brother is following his footsteps into the medical profession, specialising in Pharmacology. Their parents always encouraged them into education: “That was the way forward”.
“Growing up in Tonga, in a big family, we struggled. But our parents pushed us to work hard at school. My parents were able to get good jobs to support us.
“I thought I would follow in my father’s footsteps and become an economist. I took economics and accounting at school. I liked accounting but an incident happened in high school and I was kicked out of the class. After that, it put me off accounting”, he chuckles.
Then he thought his calling was to join the priesthood in the Catholic church.
“My mother is a very religious woman and I thought this would be a good calling. It wasn’t until my last year in sixth form that I decided a life as a priest was not for me.”
Born and raised in Nukualofa, Staverton decided to pursue a career in medicine and embarked on a year of study in Fiji before coming to New Zealand to attend The University of Otago.
Staverton, now 24, says studying medicine is not so different to studying for the priesthood.
“It takes seven years to become a priest. A similar time frame to becoming a doctor. The training is intense, a lot of hard work, solitude and being away from your family.”
Despite the long years of study and hard work Staverton knows he’s in the right place. He admits his first year of study, was difficult, and at times, stressful.
But perseverance has paid off and he’s now in the final year of his medical degree, currently completing a four week internship at the Waiouru Army Camp health services.
He is also the student representative for the Pasifika Medical Association. The association has been impressed by Staverton’s passion for his people and commitment to promoting health as a career for Pacific youth.
The medical student would love to see more Pacific people in the health profession.
“A medical degree is not just for the palagi, it’s for everyone. We [Pacific people] can do it just as well. I really urge our young to consider this as an option; it is a very prestigious role”.
He also wants to see a change in attitude towards Pacific people working in the health sector.
“There’s still a lot of stigma in the medical profession and those stereotypes still exist. When people see me around the hospital they think I’m the cleaner or an orderly. I still get annoyed at that.”
He doesn’t want these attitudes to deter young Pacific people. Staverton says working in health is worth every second and every minute.
“Your children need to realise they can be whatever they want, but only they can do it and make that choice. You don’t have to prove to anyone else but yourself. At the end of the day it’s up to you.”
Staverton’s advice on choosing a career in health? “Go for it!”
BL-11