Barbara Edmonds MP Visits Vaka Tautua

Barbara Edmonds MP with the Vaka Tautua Wellington team.

The last time Barbara Edmonds visited Vaka Tautua in Porirua it was as the Labour candidate for the Mana electorate. Yesterday she was welcomed to Vaka Tautua as Member of Parliament for the electorate.

Barbara Edmonds MP (red jacket) with (L to R) our CEO, Dr Amanda-Lanuola Dunlop; new Wellington Regional Manager, Anna Pasikale; and Acting Regional Manager, Les Atoni.

“A lot has happened since I was last here as the Labour candidate for Mana, supporting the Prime Minister,” Mrs Edmonds said laughing.

“As the local MP, it is my job to represent and advocate for my electorate… being connected to my community, and hearing any issues and concerns they might have is important… It is a privilege to be back here at Vaka Tautua.”

Barbara Edmonds MP (red jacket) with (L to R) our CEO, Dr Amanda-Lanuola Dunlop; new Wellington Regional Manager, Anna Pasikale; and Acting Regional Manager, Les Atoni.

Vaka Tautua Chief Executive Officer, Dr Amanda-Lanuola Dunlop and Wellington regional managers, Anna Pasikale and Les Atoni, spoke to Mrs Edmonds about the organisation’s expanded services in the region. The challenges around equitable and sustainable funding, recognition of cultural competencies and securing and maintaining our workforce were also discussed.

Mrs Edmonds is a first-term MP, voted in the October 2020 general elections. Formerly a specialist tax lawyer, she lives locally in Titahi Bay and is a proud mother of eight children.

For all enquiries, please email: comms@vakatautua.co.nz