Vaka Tautua is expanding its services into the Otago region in April 2022 to support the growing Pacific population in the region. Initially, the organisation will deliver disability and financial capability services, with a view to offering more services in the near future.

Vaka Tautua’s Community Connector Service in Wellington has helped 243 Pacific people during the pandemic. The team recently supported Samoeleoi Moetu to regain his mobility and independence, giving him a new lease on life.

Vaka Tautua responded to 4,947 disability-related enquiries across Aotearoa in 2021. The organisation also distributed 973 PPE packs and more than 150 wellbeing packages to 623 Pacific disabled people and their families as part of its national COVID-19 outreach service.

In 2022, Vaka Tautua has established the new role of National Manager Operations. Pania Schwenke has come on board to lead the organisation’s operational services teams, in line with the strategic direction set by our Board of Directors.

Alofa Leilua was able to overcome ongoing mental health challenges to become a thriving tertiary student, with help from Vaka Tautua’s Community Support Services in West Auckland.

In 2021, Miriam Terei-Roriki left Rarotonga for urgent medical treatment in Aotearoa. Vaka Tautua supported Miriam and her family to adjust to their new life, and learn to thrive with help from our Parenting and Tupe Wise Programmes. 

2021 marked a year of growth for Vaka Tautua. At the end of last year, we were pleased to welcome fifteen new team members on board the Vaka to support the increased needs of our Pacific communities in this post-COVID era.

Vaka Tautua is bringing Christmas joy to our Pacific communities this December, delivering essential wellbeing packs to support COVID care and spread a bit of seasonal cheer.

Vaka Tautua, Aotearoa’s ‘by Pacific, for Pacific’ health, disability, and social services provider, was announced this month as one of the primary organisations to receive funding from the Government’s Pacific Financial Capability Grants.

Utusaitoa Ah Kuoi is a young Samoan man who successfully navigated his way through mental health challenges to wellbeing and gainful employment, with support from Vaka Tautua’s Pacific Navigation Services in Wellington.

The team at Vaka Tautua was sad to farewell Lottie Tiava’asue today, after thirteen years of loyal service. Lottie achieved a great deal in her time working for our Ola Fiafia services in West Auckland.

Misi Maea Kaifa had struggled for a long time with accessing transport for his disabled son Samuela. With support from Vaka Tautua’s Disability Services team, Samuela is now more connected and engaged with his community.

Addressing inequities to ensure Māori, Pacific and disabled children thrive is the key message from new Children’s Commissioner, Judge Frances Eivers, who launched the Child Poverty Monitor 2021 technical report at Vaka Tautua.

In response to the ever-increasing needs of Pacific communities, particularly post-COVID, Vaka Tautua has significantly expanded its presence in the Canterbury region.

Jerome could not see a way out of his depression. However, with the support of Vaka Tautua’s Pacific mental health navigation services in Wellington, he is now on his way to a brighter future.

2021 has been a transformative year for Vaka Tautua, as the organisation has refreshed its structure to respond to the Government’s transformation of the health and disability sector in New Zealand.

Vaka Tautua has shifted two social wellbeing programmes online to ensure our Pacific families in Auckland still have access to much needed services and support.

Vaka Tautua recently farewelled Innovation Manager, Bernice Mene, who has been an integral part of the organisation since April 2020.