Minister Sepuloni visits Vaka Tautua

Minister Carmel Sepuloni and Dr Amanda-Lanuola Dunlop

Minister Carmel Sepuloni visited Vaka Tautua in Manukau yesterday to meet with the new Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Amanda-Lanuola Dunlop. It was the first meeting between the two officials since Dr Dunlop’s appointment in August 2019.

Dr Dunlop said the meeting went well and was an invaluable opportunity to inform the Minister about the organisation’s new strategic direction, and the challenges facing Pacific peoples.

“Minister Sepuloni is responsible for social development, disability issues, and Pacific peoples – three key portfolio areas for Vaka Tautua, and the families and communities we serve,” said Dr Dunlop.

“The meeting was an important opportunity to share with the Minister the challenges we and our Pacific peoples are facing, and what needs to be done to address these issues… things like equitable funding, and access and choice [of services].”

The visit was a “homecoming” for the Minister Sepuloni, who served as Vaka Tautua Chief Executive Officer from 2011 to 2014.

Vaka Tautua is a national Pacific health and social services provider. It delivers disability, mental health, older peoples, financial capability and social services in the greater Auckland, Waikato, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington and Canterbury regions.