Regional partnerships a priority for Vaka Tautua
Vaka Tautua’s executive leadership team has spent the last two weeks connecting and engaging with key regional partners in Wellington and Canterbury. Chief Executive Officer Dr Amanda-Lanuola Dunlop thanked stakeholders for their support during her tenure and beyond, as she approaches the end of her journey with the organisation.
In her final regional visits as CEO before her April 1 departure, Dr Dunlop hosted “meet and greet” events with local partners and funders in Wellington on March 17-18, then in Christchurch on March 24-25. She was joined by other members of Vaka Tautua’s leadership team – General Manager Lara Dolan, National Manager People and Capability Kristina Sofele, and National Manager Operations Pania Schwenke – and regional colleagues.
A representative from Te Waka Whaiora Trust in Porirua said, “This was a brilliant opportunity to connect with Vaka Tautua staff and management and to put names to the faces – in particular to meet in person as more recently we have been meeting via Zoom or online.”
At the Canterbury meeting, partners said an emotional farewell to Dr Dunlop. “Thank you for your strong leadership for Pasifika and for the map you have created to guide us on our way forward,” said Maria Pasene, Pegasus Health Pasifika Health Manager.
Dr Dunlop emphasised how Vaka Tautua holds the strong position it has today thanks to the support of its partners. Her hope is that Vaka Tautua’s national leadership and regional teams will continue to nurture these important relationships and develop future collaborations together.
Les Atoni, Team Leader for Vaka Tautua’s Ola Fiafia mental health services in Wellington, said of the meetings, “Connecting with our partners is fundamentally important as we get to share first-hand experience of what is working well and what areas require improvement. During these unusual COVID times it is important that we stay connected to ensure our service delivery approach and practices are consistent.”
Dr Dunlop also acknowledged the Auckland-based partners who have contributed to the success of Vaka Tautua, which has achieved amazing things for Pacific peoples across Aotearoa under Dr Dunlop’s outstanding leadership.