A time of growth for Vaka Tautua
2021 marked a year of growth for Vaka Tautua. The organisation established several new positions to enhance our service delivery across Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury. At the end of last year, we were pleased to welcome fifteen new team members on board the Vaka to support the increased needs of our Pacific communities in this post-COVID era.
Vaka Tautua Auckland
Vaka Tautua Auckland experienced the biggest growth with the appointment of seven new staff members. Ruta Tai is the Team Leader for our Disability Services, and Dorothy Hunter is Team Leader for our Tupe Wise financial capability services. Both bring extensive leadership and management skills to their roles, leading the way for their respective teams.
(L to R) Amanda Sesio, Agnes Liufau, and Jairus Ioane from Vaka Tautua’s Mount Albert Pacific Community Hub.
Vaka Tautua’s Ola Fiafia mental health team, based at our new Pacific community wellbeing hub in Mt Albert, saw the addition of three new team members: Amanda Sesio as Peer Support Worker and Jairus Ioane as Community Support Worker for our Ora’anga mental health service; and Agnes Liufau as Community Support Worker for our West Auckland Community Support Services. All three are already making a positive difference to the mental wellbeing of our Pacific communities in Central and West Auckland.
Our Business Team, located at Vaka Tautua’s Head Office in Auckland, welcomed Kirsten Brown as Communications Lead and Lauraina Funaki as the Office Administrator. Kirsten and Lauraina support the national team of Vaka Tautua, sharing our success stories and making sure operations run smoothly.
Vaka Tautua Wellington
New Vaka Tautua Wellington team members (L to R) Ateca Kerenia, Fiti Taefu, Wang Yaw, Melissa Dunlop and Mele Vea.
Vaka Tautua Wellington’s Ola Fiafia mental health team was bolstered by Ateca Kerenia, Community Support Worker for Access & Choice; Fiti Taefu as Community Support Worker for Navigation Services, and Mele Vea as Community Support Worker for Community Services. Since joining the Vaka they have already contributed significantly to the mental health and wellbeing of Pacific people in the region.
Melissa Dunlop was appointed as Service Lead for the Wellington region, and Wang Yaw came on board as Business Lead, with both roles enhancing the operational and service delivery arms of the regional office. Melissa will oversee the Tupe Wise financial capability programme in Wellington and provide Community Connector and outreach services in the Wellington Central and South areas. Wang will bring her business focus to support the Pacific community across the region.
Vaka Tautua Canterbury
The Vaka Tautua Canterbury team also expanded threefold in 2021, welcoming Malu Tulia, Peter Saili and Jacob Tusa, as featured in the article: Increased support for South Island Pacific communities.
Recruitment drive
Vaka Tautua’s rapid rate of expansion is not slowing down, with the start of 2022 seeing the addition of 20 newly established roles to support the continued growth of our services.
To meet more of our amazing staff, visit the Our Team page. All current Vaka Tautua vacancies are advertised on Seek.