Packages of care bring Christmas cheer to Pacific community
Vaka Tautua is bringing Christmas joy to our Pacific communities this December, delivering essential wellbeing packs to support COVID care and spread a bit of seasonal cheer.
Vaka Tautua Auckland team members putting together wellbeing packs.
Our Vaka Tautua Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch teams have been packing up and delivering essential household items, hygiene supplies, and a few treats to help our Pacific families impacted by COVID-19.
To date, Vaka Tautua has delivered 240 wellbeing packs in greater Auckland, 212 across Wellington, and 50 in the Canterbury region.
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) has been a key partner in this initiative, providing proactive support and funding for Pacific providers.
Kristina Sofele, National Manager People and Capability for Vaka Tautua, said, “MSD’s outstanding support has added value to the services we provide to the community. It has helped us reach further and offer different kinds of support to Pacific people in need, including delivering hygiene supplies so families can better protect themselves from COVID-19 if isolating at home.”
The Pacific community in Auckland has been particularly impacted by the COVID-19 Delta variant outbreak in 2021, making up more than half of those needing to self-isolate. Vaka Tautua’s COVID outreach efforts help ensure that vulnerable people, especially households who are self-isolating, can continue to access support.
Throughout the 2021 lockdown, Vaka Tautua’s staff stayed in regular contact with our service users, providing continuity through challenging times. One of our Pacific matua, the grateful recipient of a wellbeing pack, thanked the Auckland team for her delivery with bouquets of gardenias and lilies from her garden.
Cathy Mu with her moko (grandchild).
In Wellington, siblings John and Cathy Mu also appreciated the care package they received. Cathy said it would help with cleanliness around the home while her moko (grandchildren) visit during the holidays, and John thanked Vaka Tautua for helping him with a dental issue during the COVID lockdown.
Lara Dolan, Vaka Tautua’s General Manager, said, “Our hard-working staff aim to provide meaningful support to our Pacific peoples. Being able to help people in need during difficult times, especially at this time of year, is highly rewarding for us all.”