Vaka Tautua expands to the Otago region
Vaka Tautua is expanding its services into the Otago region in April 2022 to support the growing Pacific population in the region. Initially, it will deliver disability and financial capability services, with a view to offering more services in the near future.
Vaka Tautua General Manager, Lara Dolan (L) and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Amanda-Lanuola Dunlop (R) with National PACIFICA President, Reverend Alofa Lale, at the First Church of Otago, Dunedin.
“We are thrilled to be establishing a presence in the Otago region, to be able to offer these very much-needed services to our Pacific peoples in the region,” says Vaka Tautua Chief Executive Officer, Dr Amanda-Lanuola Dunlop.
“Our services (disability and financial capability) complement those currently offered by our partners in the region… we look forward to working with them to ensure our Pacific peoples can access whatever services and support they need to thrive and prosper.”
Otago Pacific Trust General Manager, Lloyd Maole, with Vaka Tautua General Manager, Lara Dolan and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Amanda-Lanuola Dunlop.
Dr Dunlop and General Manager, Lara Dolan, met with local Pacific providers and leaders in Dunedin last week to finalise arrangements, including Otago Pacific Trust General Manager Lloyd Maole, National PACIFICA President Reverend Alofa Lale, and leading academic Dr Tasileta Te’evale. All are excited about the services, capability and investment Vaka Tautua will bring into the region.
The expansion into the Otago region represents a significant milestone for Vaka Tautua, with the organisation having delivered free health, disability, and social services in the Auckland region since 2004, and the Wellington and Canterbury regions since 2011.
“It’s not every day that you get the opportunity to establish new services in a new region or city to help more of your community… but COVID-19 has highlighted and exacerbated the need, and provided us an opportunity to do so, for our Pacific peoples,” says Dr Dunlop.
“We look forward to serving our Pacific communities in Otago, and supporting them so they can thrive and prosper.”