Maori and Pasifika
Maori and Pacific people are over-represented as clients in the Te Korowai-Whāriki services. To support recovery a Kaumatua and Whaea lead the services for Maori and a Pasifika Consultant is the representative for the 7 Pacific Island nations. A Kaumatua and Kuia are also based at the Regional Rangatahi Unit.
Te Korowai-Whāriki employs specialist Maori and Pacific staff. The Service has a Maori cultural facility, Ruaumoko, and a Vaka Pasifika (specialist facility for Pacific people, Vaka O Le Pasifika) to support culturally based programmes for clients. Ruaumoko provides an environment that acknowledges, supports and strengthens one's Maori identity to assist and promote recovery for tangata whaiora at Te Korowai Whāriki. Ruaumoko provides sustainable, culturally appropriate, assessment, management, treatment and rehabilitation in hospital, prison and in community for tangata whaiora.
Kuni Shepherd is the Kaumatua for Te Korowai-Whāriki and is also a member of the Mental Health Kaunihera. Kuni, along with his colleague, Areta Koopu, the Whaea, are responsible for the Maori component of the service. Kuni provides support, guidance and direction to the Operations Director and other management staff on Maori protocol and is also a mentor to the many Maori (and non-Maori clients) who attend programmes at Ruaumoko. Kuni is a respected member of the wider community. He has tribal affiliations to Te Whanau-a-Apanui, Ngati Kahu, Ngati Porou, Whakatohea, and Ngai-Te-Rangi.
Areta Koopu is a trained mental health nurse with many years of experience working in different areas of mental health. In her role as Whaea she supports the Kaumatua and Maori staff and provides support and advice to the Operations Director and the management team of Te Korowai-Whāriki. She is a member of the Mental Health Kaunihera group. Areta's tribal affiliations are Ngati Kahungunu.
Afele Seuala
Le Mamea joined the service in September in 1999 and was the first Pacific appointment. He was employed by the Presbyterian Support Services in a social work and counselling role before taking up his current role of Pasifika Consultant. This role ensures that the voice of the Pacific is represented at all levels of the service as well as providing cultural advice to management.
Le Mamea and Tavaga are from Matautu (Lefaga) and Lalomanu (Aleipata) respectively. Le Mamea and the Vaka Pasifika team are commited to striving for better outcomes for Tagata Pasifika of the Te Korowai-Whāriki Services.
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A building designed especially for the Pasifika The name Vaka Pasifika means Canoe of the Pacific. |
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"Our Pacific forefathers were highly regarded amongst the greatest navigators using only the stars and elements of their environment to travel to and from their desired destination." Vaka Pasifika provides an environment and also opportunities for tagata Pasifika to revisit cultural practices, protocols and values. These in turn will strengthen each individual's unique identity, confidence and self esteem, thereby setting the foundation for a positive journey towards recovery. Such is the significance of the Vaka, where the Pasifika team are utilised as a vehicle, that cultural needs of the tagata Pasifika are addressed and their voice is heard through the wider service.
The main ethos of the Vaka Pasifika team is to achieve maximum outcomes for the clients in accessing services both on campus and in the community, by identifying gaps in services and providing culturally competent support, clinical expertise and interventions.
The main activities and programmes provided to Tagata Pasifika clients include wood carving, cooking, traditional music, gardening, weaving, sports and field trips, to name a few.
For more information, the Vaka Pasifika team can be contacted on 04 9182615.