Kāhui Tū Kaha

Last week, we proudly celebrated a decade of Rainbow Tick | Toitū Takatāpui. At Kāhui Tū Kaha, our commitment to achieving equity in wellbeing outcomes makes this work as crucial as ever.

“With Tongan men, there is a shyness”, shared Connor Halangahau, Ringa Āwhina Tangata | Support Worker, during our celebrations for Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e lea faka-Tonga | Tonga Language Week. “Like with cutting an onion, there’s different layers. You’ve got to get through a few layers to really get to know them and for them to talk about their mental health challenges.” As is tradition for us at Kāhui Tū Kaha, this week has been an opportunity for our Tongan staff to share their immense pride in being Tongan. Connor, alongside Sione Fe’ao, Ringa Āwhina Tangata | Support Worker, also took the opportunity to share a Tongan men’s perspective on the barriers commonly faced by Tongan men in accessing mental health support. Around 20% of Tongan men in Aotearoa are estimated to experience mental health challenges, which is likely a significant underreporting. For many of these men, limited English is a barrier to accessing support. We acknowledge all our Tongan staff. Without them we would not be able to support Tongan tāngata in the way that we do. Pictured: Some of our Tongan staff performing the lakalaka.

“We stand here today, proudly representing the 15 unique islands that make up the Cook Islands. Some of us were born in the Cook Islands, some were born in New Zealand and others have partners or whānau who are from the Cook Islands. No matter where we were born, or how we were raised, we all know that sustaining our reo is an important piece of history that connects us to our ancestors. Our reo contributes to our identity as Cook Islanders.” Vine Fisher (Pukapukan), Lead Trainer, wrapped up our celebrations for Cook Islands Māori Language Week this morning, reminding us of the strong link between language and culture, and identity. Weeks like these matter to us as an organisation working towards achieving equitable health and wellbeing outcomes, because we know that across almost every measure of mental health and wellbeing, Pacific people face greater challenges than the rest of the population (Te Hiringa Mahara - Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission, May 2024). This week we have celebrated Cook Island culture and identity, but every week we celebrate cultural identity as fundamental to wellbeing for Pacific people.   

“Sit down with a former refugee, hear their story, and you will be amazed. Every refugee’s story is different, but they are all stories of resilience.” Last week, on World Refugee Day,Abrar Saleh (Afghanistan), Pou Ārahi Rōpū Āwhina | Service Manager for our Refugee Settlement Support Service, spoke at our morning karakia, acknowledging all people who have been forced to flee their homelands, and supporting the World Health Organisation’s call for lasting solutions to their plights. Our Refugee Settlement Support Service supports quota refugees settling within Tāmaki Makaurau in their initial settlement period. Currently the team have the privilege of extending manaakitanga on behalf of Ngāti Whātua to more than 150 families who have been forced to leave the countries of Myanmar, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Colombia and Venuzuela. Pictured (from left): Rangi Whaiuru Brian Andrews, Pou Whakahaere | Rātonga Operations Manager (Social Housing), Abrar Saleh, Pou Ārahi Rōpū Āwhina | Service Manager, Eslam Gadallah and Lemlem Meketaw Azanaw, Registered Social Workers.

Use your expertise to contribute to better health and social outcomes. We are seeking a Learning Specialist/Trainer. Reporting to our Quality Manager, you will plan and lead the delivery and evaluation of the Kāhui Tū Kaha training programmes. https://lnkd.in/gjinPesP #traininganddevelopment #kaupapamāori

“The theme of Samoan Language Week this year fits perfectly with the work we do. If we do not have love or the will to serve, we would struggle to support our tāngata.” Fritz Von Heiderbrandt, Pou Ārahi Rōpū Āwhina | Service Manager, today reflected on tautua in relation to our work as we concluded celebrations for Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa - Samoa Language Week 2024. 'Tautua i le alofa, manuia le lumana'i – Serve in love for a blessed future’ was this year’s theme. Fa'afetai to all of our Samoan staff for a beautiful week of learning. In closing the week today, Barbara Browne, Tumu Whakarae | CEO, addressed all Samoan staff when she said “You have an absolute right to speak in Samoan in the workplace. We are a workplace that welcomes and enjoys hearing all languages.” Pictured: Fiu Feliuai Faaopoopo, Pou O Fa’atofalaiga | Samoan Cultural Advisor and Jacinta Patolo, Pou Whirinaki. #gaganasamoaeveryday

“We don’t always know what those around us are going through, so a simple ‘Mōrena’ can make a big difference.” This Pink Shirt Day Celsey Blair-Hunt (Ngāti Whātua, Samoa), Pou Ārahi Rōpū Āwhina | Service Manager reminded us of the importance of making sure those around us feel valued. When we gathered for karakia this morning our sites across Tāmaki Makaurau and also in Whangārei were filled with pink, a beautiful representation of what our people stand for. Celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion are core to who we are as a Ngāti Whātua organisation characterised by diversity. Pictured: Some of our staff at our Ellerslie office, including Tipene Lemon, Pou Tāhuhu | Deputy CEO, wearing pink in support of the Pink Shirt Day kaupapa. #pinkshirtday

With new services being established, we are seeking new Service Managers for some of our social housing teams. “It’s very fulfilling work – we have the opportunity to help turn people’s lives around” says one of our Pou Ārahi Rōpū Āwhina | Service Managers. See more and apply through our careers page https://lnkd.in/g-ZyTWV4

“We had a conversation with a young new dad who had just moved to Aotearoa from Australia with his little whānau. He was really interested in the diversity of Kāhui Tū Kaha and engaging in mahi that will make his baby proud.”   Last week we attended two fantastic work expos hosted by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and Maranga Fanau. The staff members representing us returned to the office feeling energised. They heard so many jobseekers share that they are looking for roles where they can have a positive impact in the lives of others.   Is this you? See our website to learn about the range of health, housing and social services we provide as well as our current vacancies.

We are seeking an IT Helpdesk Administrator. You’ll enjoy a varied role where your skills are in hot demand. https://lnkd.in/ggz9b6WY #IThelpdesk #kaupapamāori