Vaka Tautua officially opens Otago regional office
Vaka Tautua formally opened its first office in Dunedin this week, welcoming local Pacific community leaders and partners to celebrate the significant milestone. The new Otago team is poised to provide financial capability, community connector and disability services to Pacific peoples in the region.
Vaka Tautua staff (L to R) Peter Saili, Esala Vakamacawai, Theresa Faleatua-Taumaoe, Malu Tulia, Paula Suguturaga.
Chief Executive Officer, Moananu Anna Redican Kolose, said, “How momentous to mark the expansion of our national presence even further south into Otago. It is truly great to think that Vaka Tautua started from a small office in Auckland, and now we deliver a broad range of services to support our Pacific peoples, families and communities across Aotearoa.”
She added, “I thank Vaka Tautua’s Board members and leaders, past and present, for their vision in setting the strong foundations that enable us to steer the vaka to wherever our Pacific families need us.”
Viliami Toafa, Chair of Vaka Tautua’s Board, said, “Our vision and mission stress the centrality of family to our collective vitality as a people. Vaka Tautua arrives today to bring love and well wishes to the sons and daughters of the Pacific who have settled in Otago. Thank you for welcoming us to your home – we are family.”
Toleafoa Malu Tulia, Regional Manager for Canterbury and Otago, will lead the team of two – Theresa Faleatua-Taumaoe and Paula Suguturaga – based in Dunedin. Together they will work alongside Vaka Tautua’s local partners to support the growing Pacific population in the region.
