Andrew Chu-Shing

As an Occupational Therapist working at Middlemore Hospital, Andrew Chu-Shing has the opportunity to make a meaningful, practical difference in people’s lives.

“Occupational Therapy involves activity-focused techniques that support people connecting to – or continuing to do – what they love, and the activities that give them a sense of purpose,” he explains.

“At Middlemore, much of my work involves supporting Māori and Pacific communities, and I love that my role makes a positive contribution to the health and wellbeing of my people.”

His role is varied, from providing functional rehabilitation to get people moving again after surgery, to delivering cognitive screening to identify conditions such as dementia.

Originally from Auckland, Andrew moved to Dunedin to study anatomy at university, before attaining his Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Otago Polytechnic.

"I loved my time at Otago Polytechnic, and I miss it every day,” he says. “I found it was very different to the university model – there was a strong sense of community, our studies were individualised to our own goals and aspirations, and the practical study components and work placements cemented our learning.”

For his final year project, Andrew worked alongside OP’s Pasifika Student Advisors and the Student Success team to increase Pacific engagement in Occupational Therapy, promoting it as a study and career pathway to Pasifika communities.

“Occupational Therapy is holistic and doesn’t just focus on a person’s condition or trauma. It can be so beneficial for many cultures and communities,” he says.

In the future, Andrew would like to open his own practice and intends to help raise awareness and engagement with Occupational Therapy in Samoa, where it is an emerging health discipline.