Vaka Tautua and Ngāti Toa Establish Relationship
The Chief Executive Officers of Vaka Tautua and Ngāti Toa Rangatira met in Porirua this week to discuss potential opportunities for collaboration. It was the first meeting between the national Pacific health and social services provider and iwi.
Vaka Tautua Chief Executive Officer, Dr Amanda-Lanuola Dunlop, said her and Helmut Modlik’s discussions were encouraging.
“We [Māori and Pacific] have a shared whakapapa, and a shared vision for people – of strong, vibrant, and thriving peoples, strongly grounded in our cultural identity,” said Dr. Dunlop.
“With a high proportion of our Porirua population being Pacific, Māori or mixed, it makes sense for us to work together, and support one another in our quest to improve the health and wellbeing of our whānau.”
While the meeting was the first between the senior officials, staff have already formed a working relationship. Recently, Vaka Tautua supported Ngāti Toa’s registration of interest to establish integrated youth services in the Porirua.
“We are excited about the prospect of delivering Māori and Pacific youth-led and driven services in the area, and see it as only the beginning of a wonderful partnership,” said Dr. Dunlop.
According to the latest Census (2018), 22.3% of the Porirua population is Māori, and 26.3% Pacific peoples – the second largest community after New Zealand European.
Vaka Tautua is a national Pacific health and social services provider that delivers disability, mental health, older peoples, financial capability, and social services. Its Wellington regional office is located in Porirua. Ngāti Toa is the local iwi and delivers primary care, community, disability, dental and social services. Recently, the iwi established a community housing provider, Te Āhuru Mōwa, to manage the tenancies, maintenance, and upgrade of the Kāinga Ora properties in the area.
Ngāti Toa Rangatira Chief Executive Officer, Helmut Modlik, with (L to R) Vaka Tautua Regional Managers Kristina Sofele, Tagaloa Taima Fagaloa and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Amanda-Lanuola Dunlop