Vaka Tautua farewells Canterbury champion

After nine years of dedicated service, Vaka Tautua Canterbury Disability Team Leader, Kaiongo Tupou, has decided his time on the vaka has come to an end. He is moving on to focus more on his young family and pursue other opportunities.

Kaiongo said in parting, “My time at Vaka Tautua has been a huge blessing. Working with our community has given me a lot of skills and experiences. It has opened my eyes to the reality of what our Pacific people are dealing with on a day-to-day basis, often struggling and just surviving. Many do not know what they need to know until we let them know.

“I would not have been able to achieve what I've achieved for our Pacific community in Canterbury in the last nine years without the help of our partners and providers, with connections that have grown over that time. Co-hosting events, workshops and community fono has been a key strength to our service, given Vaka Tautua Canterbury is a small team. My plan for the future is to continue working and serving our community, especially our most vulnerable and the needy.”

Since February this year, Kaiongo has been leading Vaka Tautua’s service delivery in the Canterbury region single-handedly, and doing so at a consistently high standard. 

Vaka Tautua Chief Executive Officer, Dr Amanda-Lanuola Dunlop, acknowledged the positive contribution Kaiongo has made to Vaka Tautua and our Pacific communities in the Canterbury region.

“Kaiongo has played a key role in helping build the vaka into what it is today, and contributed greatly to our successes,” said Dr Dunlop. “We have been blessed to have him as part of the vaka. Kaiongo’s unwavering passion and commitment to serve and support our Pacific families and communities, particularly our disabled peoples, is what he will be remembered for.”

Kaiongo’s last day with Vaka Tautua was 12 November. The Board, Chief Executive Officer and staff of Vaka Tautua wish Kaiongo and his family well in their future endeavours.