Smith, Abel

Jocelyn Peach
Jul 19, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Jan 6

Director of Nursing Pacific, Te Whatu Ora Te Toka Tumai Auckland Pacific Health and Workforce Senior Lecturer, Aniva Programme, Nursing Adviser, Aniva Future Leaders Programme

Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) Members Board director

Registered Nurse, BN, MPP (Leadership), PG Dip Public Health (Pacific), Doctoral candidate

Abel Smith is originally from the province of Ra in the Fiji Islands. He started his nursing career in 1986 as a Registered Nurse from the Fiji School of Nursing. Abel has over 35 years' experience in the nursing and health care sector as a senior Pacific nurse leader, manager, clinician, and educator. He has worked in the health services in Fiji, Australia and New Zealand as a clinician, educator and nurse manager in the areas of mental health, public health, obstetrics, A & E and Rural health.

Abel is currently the Director of Nursing Pacific Health at Te Whatu Ora Te Toka Tumai. He is also senior lecturer for the Aniva programme and Board Director of Pasifika Medical Association. He is widely involved with Pacific community and health professional groups in New Zealand and internationally. He is a committed advocate of Pacific Nurses and Health Professionals achieving academic excellence and realising their full potential in their careers.

Abel is a firm believer that knowledge is power and that the acquisition of knowledge and experience enhances professional practice and impacts positively on the health outcomes of communities. He has completed a Bachelor of Nursing at Unitec in Auckland. Abel was the first person awarded the Master of Professional Practice (Leadership) through the Aniva programme and is currently completing a Doctor of Health Science programme at AUT. He is an advocate for higher education and encourages Pacific students to seize their opportunities.

He is committed to supporting the personal and professional growth of pacific people and health care workers. Abel holds many positions of service in nursing and health, including the President of the Fiji Nurses Association New Zealand, Treasurer of the Pacific Nurses Section of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation, Programme monitor for the Bachelor of Nursing programme for the NZ Nursing Council and Chair of the Manukau Institution of Technology Pacific Nursing Advisory Committee, Executive Board Member of the Pasifika Medical Association, a Trustee of the Auckland Nurses Education and Research Trust and AUT Nursing Advisory Committee.

His wealth of experience and leadership saw Abel Smith recognised for his services to nursing and midwifery with the NZNO National Award in 2015 in recognition for his services to nursing and midwifery. NZNO kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku presented the award, "I can't think of a more worthy recipient for this award. Abel is leading the way for Pacific nurse leaders. His skills and passion make a huge difference to the health of many." We're looking forward to see Abel's contribution to nursing through policy development, research, management and education."

Pasifika Medical Association [PMA} Life Member Award in 2022. extending this honour to us nurses and acknowledging the work that nurses do to compliment healthcare services in NZ and around the Pacific.” Mr Smith maintains his commitment to building the Pacific nursing workforce and changing the health outcomes for Pacific communities. Abel feels honoured to have a PMA nursing scholarship in his name. “It makes the student journey more bearable and easier to navigate. I want to provide opportunities for our people and explore ways that we can increase our workforce and Pacific pathways to improve our health outcomes. These options and pathways were not offered to me when I started my nursing training. I hope that our future Pacific nurses and midwives make the most of what is available to them.”