Interview: Student reflects on key highlights of health promotion course

HPF recently wrapped up Intake 3 of the online Certificate of Achievement in Health Promotion (CoA) and took the opportunity to catch up with some of the students to hear how they found the experience and what they took away from it.

Out first written interview was with Naomi Bennett, from Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora, who shared  how much she enjoyed the course, some of her key highlights, and how the course will support her in her day-to-day work.

Hauora News: Can you please tell us a bit about yourself, where you currently work, and what your role is?

Naomi: Kia ora, ko Naomi Bennett tōku ingoa. I work for Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora – National Public Health Service in Te Waipounamu as People & Operations Support within the Strategy & Operations team.

Hauora News: How did you become aware of the CoA and what interested you in it?

Naomi: I heard about the Certificate of Achievement in Health Promotion through colleagues and through my involvement across different teams in NPHS (National Public Health Service) I’ve always had an interest in public health, and I wanted to build my foundational knowledge so I could better understand the mahi happening around me. The CoA felt like the perfect starting point to deepen my learning while supporting my long-term goal of working in health promotion and public health more broadly.

Hauora News: What were some of the highlights of the course for you?

Naomi: The biggest highlight was realising how interconnected everything is within health promotion—from Te Tiriti, to determinants of health, to community-led solutions. I enjoyed the practical examples and case studies, as they helped make the concepts real and relevant to my role. I also loved hearing different perspectives from others completing the course and seeing how passionate people are about improving hauora in their communities.

Hauora News: How did you find the online format?

Naomi:  The online format worked really well for me. It allowed me to fit study around full-time work and family life, while still feeling supported. The structure was clear, the readings were accessible, and I appreciated being able to learn at my own pace. It was flexible without feeling isolating.

Hauora News: What have you learned from the course that will help you in your every-day mahi?

Naomi: The course has helped me understand the bigger picture of why we do what we do in public health. I now have a stronger grounding in Te Tiriti, health equity, and the importance of community-driven approaches. This helps me bring more context, purpose, and awareness into my daily decision-making. It’s helped me see my role as part of the wider system that supports better outcomes for our communities.

Hauora News: Do you have anything else to add?

Naomi: I’m really grateful for the opportunity to complete this course. It’s given me confidence in continuing my learning journey and has reinforced my desire to keep growing within the public health space. For those wanting to build a strong grounding in health promotion principles and practice, this course is an excellent starting point.