St George’s honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi
June 13, 2025
Erin Bensley (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa) has always been drawn to roles that combine clinical care with systems thinking. She began her nursing career in the neurosurgery and neurology ward at Christchurch Public Hospital while completing postgraduate studies in neurosciences. Her growing interest in data and information management led her to study Nursing and Health Leadership and Management, eventually stepping into her current role as Clinical Informatics Manager at St George’s Hospital.
Five years ago, Erin began learning te reo Māori through Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. What started as a personal journey has since evolved significantly. In 2023, she completed a Level 5 diploma in Māori Language and today she supports St George’s, helping to embed te reo and tikanga Māori into everyday practice.
Erin leads Te Rōpū Arotahi Hauora Māori, the hospital’s Māori Health Focus Group, working closely with colleagues and Kaumātua Kathy Simmons to develop resources for staff and patients. “I’m definitely not an expert,” she says, “but it’s been a privilege to work with St George’s to understand what it means to build an organisational culture in partnership with Māori. We all know there’s a disparity in health outcomes for Māori, and this work is part of creating a more inclusive, equitable service for everyone.”
Over the past year, this kaupapa has continued to grow. St George’s has partnered with Riki Consultancy to provide additional support and deliver cultural education sessions for staff, some of which have taken place at Ngā Hau e Whā marae. Key dates such as Te Wiki o te Reo Māori and Matariki are now woven into the hospital’s cultural calendar, supported by initiatives that encourage participation and shared learning.
This year’s Matariki celebration, running from 29 June to 6 July, will be another opportunity to reflect, come together over kai and celebrate the diversity of Aotearoa New Zealand.
St George’s continues to invest in creating spaces where people can learn, connect and lead. Erin’s journey shows how personal growth, supported by a strong organisational culture, can create meaningful change for patients, staff and the wider community.
Latest news
St George’s Hospital has entered an exciting new chapter in surgical innovation with the arrival of the Da Vinci Xi General Surgical Robot, the only one of its kind in the South Island. This advanced technology supports robotic-assisted surgery across gynaecology, colorectal, general, thoracic and urology specialties, expanding access to minimally invasive procedures for patients in Canterbury and beyond.
Christchurch, Friday 3 October 2025: More than 120 guests gathered to mark a significant milestone as St George’s Eye Care celebrated its 10-year anniversary. The specialist private ophthalmic practice, based within St George’s Hospital, has become a cornerstone of expert cataract and ophthalmic treatment in Christchurch and across the South Island.
Born and raised in Canterbury, Victoria Leov began her career here as a nurse after completing her studies at Ara. Starting her clinical career in General Practice and Oncology gave her a strong foundation in patient care and a deep appreciation for the difference that skilled, compassionate teams make every day.
Every day, patients walk through St George’s doors seeking care, comfort and reassurance and the feedback they share continues to reflect the warmth and professionalism they experience from our teams.
St George’s Eye Care is now offering a cutting-edge genetic test to assess glaucoma risk, thanks to Clinical Director and Consultant Ophthalmologist Dr Paul Baddeley, one of the first South Island providers to support this advancement.
We’re proud to share that St George’s Hospital has been awarded the McFedries Trophy at the 2025 Christchurch Beautifying Association Awards, recognising the entire hospital site for its outstanding gardens and beautifully maintained green spaces.