Increased support for South Island Pacific communities
In response to the ever-increasing needs of Pacific communities, particularly post-COVID, Vaka Tautua has significantly expanded its presence in the Canterbury region.
The new Vaka Tautua Christchurch team: (L to R) Jacob Tusa, Malu Tulia, and Peter Saili.
New Zealand’s 2021 COVID lockdowns highlighted the need for Vaka Tautua to increase its resources in the region, so it can respond even more rapidly to the communities’ growing needs.
In response, the organisation has established its first-ever Regional Manager Canterbury and Otago position, and expanded its range of social and financial capability services.
In addition to existing disability and community connection services, Vaka Tautua Canterbury now offers whānau resilience and financial capability services.
Malu Tulia has been appointed to the role of Regional Manager Canterbury and Otago to lead and drive our operations in these regions. She brings more than 17 years’ management and mental health experience to the role, and has been a guest lecturer at the University of Canterbury.
Malu’s strong established relationships across the Pacific community in the South Island will help her fulfil her desire to encourage and improve health outcomes for our Pacific peoples.
Malu said about her new role, “Our Pasifika communities are very important to me. I’m excited about this new role leading our operations in the Canterbury and Otago regions, to serve and support more of our Pacific peoples. It is a privilege to be part of this Vaka, to navigate the many challenging waters that we sail in and to provide calm harbours to shelter from the storm.”
Vaka Tautua Chief Executive Officer, Dr Amanda-Lanuola Dunlop said the organisation is thrilled about the new role, and Malu’s appointment.
“We know our Pacific communities are facing an increasing array of challenges following COVID. We are thrilled to have someone of Malu’s experience, calibre and community standing leading and steering our Vaka in Canterbury and Otago, to coordinate support so we can respond more rapidly to our communities’ challenges at a local level.”
Prior to joining Vaka Tautua, Malu was Pasifika Health Navigator at Waitaha Primary Health Organisation. Her previous jobs include Service and Practice Manager for Etu Pasifika, and Service Manager with Pacific Trust Canterbury.
Malu is joined by former Auckland Blues rugby player, Peter Saili, who will be working as a Community Enabler in the Whānau Resilience space, and Jacob Tusa, who will act as a Financial Capability Coach for our Tupe Wise programme.
The Vaka Tautua Canterbury team is set to be its strongest ever, with five full-time staff. With a new team in Otago planned for early 2022, Vaka Tautua is ready for its next journey, serving more of our Pacific communities across Aotearoa.
Learn more about Our Team and Vaka Tautua Canterbury.