Pasifika Futures Prosperity for Pacific families - Pacific Wha¯nau...

Pacific Whanau Ora Conference Speakers

2015

PACIFIC WHANAU ORA CONFERENCE SPEAKERS 2015

Hon Te Ururoa FlavellMinister for Whanau Ora

Te Ururoa Flavell was first elected to the House of Representatives as a Māori Party Member of Parliament in September 2005 for the Electorate of Waiariki, and was re-elected in the 2008 and 2011 General Elections. He is currently the Māori Party Co-leader, The Māori Party Chief Whip, Deputy Chair of the Māori Affairs Select Committee, Member of the Parliamentary Business Committee and Member of the Parliamentary Standing Orders Select Committee. Te Ururoa belongs to the Ngati Rangiwewehi and Ngapuhi iwis and lives in Rotorua. He holds a Bachelor of Māori Studies and Anthropology from the University of Auckland and a Master of Arts in Māori from Waikato University. He is also a proud St Stephens Old Boy.


Rangi Michelle PotoruWhanau Ora Family representative

Rangi Michelle Potoru is a ‘can do’ proud New Zealand born Atiuan/Rarotongan mum raising 5 beautiful children (Analena, Ellecana, Charntae, Osheyana and Ta’arua). Michelle keeps herself fit and active by managing the over 50’s Cook Islands Men’s World Cup Tag team. Michelle’s sunny disposition and ‘nothing is impossible’ attitude connects her well with the community she volunteers for. Raised with 3 brothers in South Auckland, her family is her biggest strength and support. Michelle is the co-founder of Tiare catering & events, she is the ‘head’ of the business and her mum – Mama Potoru is the ‘heart’. Tiare catering and events started in a humble Otara home kitchen where food was always prepared with love for all who entered the family home.

When the family was still young, Mama Potoru would make donuts to supplement the family income and Michelle aged 6 would go door-to-door with her brothers selling donuts around the neighbourhood. With Michelle’s love of Cook Islands food firmly planted, she takes on the one BASKET – ‘kai tupuna’ challenge to help establish the first Pacific Cooperative Catering Family and Community-led Enterprise in Auckland. Michelle and 199 other Cook Island families will develop their business acumen and ideas through FAMILY, a co-designed enterprising family program funded by the Pasifika Futures Whanau Ora Innovation Fund and delivered by the Cook Islands Ta’okotai’anga Charitable Trust trading as CIDANZ – Cook Islands Development Agency New Zealand.


Dr Kiki MaoateChairperson, Pasifika Futures

Paediatric Surgeon and Urologist, Kiki Maoate is a well-respected leader in the Cook Island community and Pacific health sector in New Zealand and the Pacific region. He was awarded an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2014 for his dedication and commitment to Pacific health. Kiki is a Fellow of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and is the Clinical Director of the Pacific Island Program. He is Associate Dean Pacific Health, University of Otago based in Christchurch. Kiki was instrumental in the establishment of Pacific Trust Canterbury and has provided strategic leadership in the development and formation of the South Island Provider collective.

He is the President of the Pasifika Medical Association, and a member and strong supporter of the Pacific Island Surgeons Association. Kiki is Chair of the Minister of Pacific Peoples Affairs and Ministerial Advisory Committee. He has served on numerous boards and committees including the University of Canterbury Council and the New Zealand and Pacific Health Research Councils. Kiki is an advisor to the Cook Islands Ministry of Health and is active in the Pacific region as Clinical Director for Health Specialists Ltd working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade NZAID, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade AUSAID Programme Australia.


Hon Bill EnglishDeputy Prime Minister & Minister of Finance

Bill English is Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance (roles he’s held since 2008) and the Minister responsible for Housing NZ Corporation. He was first elected to Parliament in 1990 as MP for the Wallace electorate (later re-named Clutha-Southland) and served as the local MP for 24 years until he became a list MP in 2014. He completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree at Otago University, followed by a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in English Literature at Victoria University in Wellington. Mr English has held ministerial posts in regulatory reform, education, health, revenue and finance and he was leader of the National Party from October 2001 to October 2003. Bill’s wife Mary is a General Practitioner and they have six children.

ECONOMICALLY INDEPENDENT &

RESILIENT-FINANCIAL FREEDOM STREAM


Andrew LavulavuWhareora Trust

Whareora Trust is a non-profit organisation set up to assist, mentor and guide program participants through to Home Ownership status. They are currently working with 30 Pasifika and Māori families on average over a 3 year time frame. Whareora Trust have a clear focus on Pasifika and Māori communities and a core mission in uplifting the statistics for Home Ownership for these communities in New Zealand.




Ina MichaelsCook Is Ta’okotai’anga Charitable Trust

Ina Michaels has been with the Cook Islands Ta’okotai’anga Charitable Trust (CIDANZ) since 2010 where he was initially approached to be part of a voluntary management committee to assist advancing the Trust. One year later (July 2011) and after considerable consultation with family, Ina felt ‘called’ to serve the Cook Islands Community and so he decided to accept the Chief Executive’s role working on a voluntary basis and left his role working as Business Development Manager at Pacific Business Trust. Since going full-time and from ground zero, Ina has worked with the Board and a small team to re-invent the Trust’s new strategic direction, introducing a new trading name; CIDANZ – Cook Islands Development Agency New Zealand, to create and roll-out of ‘one’ branded social enterprises and services under the umbrella of a new community enterprise

co-operative called The oneCOOPERATIVE. This recent development has been fast tracked through funding received by the Pasifika Futures Whānau Ora Innovation Fund and a couple of other wins along the way. All of the current and future work of CIDANZ and now The oneCOOPERATIVE is calling on every experience and skill Ina has acquired within the private, public and community sectors over the past 15 years, alongside a Commerce degree from Auckland University. Most of this work has involved working with Pacific Communities and in the Pacific. Armed with a dare to dream philosophy and the strength of a growing group of genuine and positive like-minded people, not to mention a supportive family – it’s Ina’s hope that Unity and Prosperity for the Cook Islands Community will spread to the wider Community.




Yvette Guttenbeil-Po’uhilaV.I.P Barbers Training School

Petelo Po’uhila and Yvette Guttenbeil-Po’uhila are co-owners of V.I.P Barbers Avondale, Auckland. With the Pasifika Futures small grants, they were able to start scoping the many pathways of starting a barbering training school. It also helped develop an Auckland Pacific Barbers Movement network, supporting learning pathways and mentoring to youth who are looking for future options. Their work is about improving economic and employment opportunities for young Pacific people in Auckland through the establishment of a Barbers Training School that will equip students with a qualification in barbering and provide ongoing mentoring and employment support.




Aiolupotea Lili TuiotiChief Advisor Pasifika International & Policy NZQA

Aiolupotea’s background lies in education. She has just started in her role in NZQA for 6 months. She was based in Samoa from 2005–2015, working for the Government of Tokelau as Education Advisor and subsequently as the Strategic Planning Advisor. Aiolupotea’s extensive experience in education in New Zealand and within the Pacific trace back to 1981. From 1981 to 1997 she was a secondary school teacher. She was the Principal of Western Springs College in 1993-1997 and was part of establishing the Pacific-focused education consultancy – TKC Consultancy and then Teuila Consultancy in 1998. She underwent consultancy work in various areas

in New Zealand and in Samoa from 1998–2004, including establishing and implementing a PD programme to support aspiring Pacific teachers into senior management roles, assisted with the establishment and implementation of the initial Pacific schools liaison project to promote and enhance school – Pacific family relationships, initiated a concept of Pacific Nations Educators Association (PNEA), served on the Teachers’ Council from 2000–2004 when she relocated to Samoa and develop a business studies curriculum and worked as a materials development consultant to the Samoa Department of Education.

SUCCEEDING IN EDUCATION –

LIFE LONG LEARNING STREAM


Anthony Tu’itahiOceania Career Academy NZQA



Anthony Tu’itahi is the General Manager of Oceania Career Academy. He came from health and social services provider The Fono, where he worked for over four years as their Business Development Manager. Originally seconded to Ocreania Career Academy, Anthony took up the General Manager’s position in early 2015 and has been instrumental in setting up Oceania Career Academy as a Private Training Establishment.


Makoni PuluPacific Islands Advisory & Cultural Trust



Makoni Pulu is an Executive Director of the Pacific Islands Advisory and Cultural Trust. He has a background in teaching in Tonga and Auckland, and has worked in roles focusing on youth development, climate change, community issues and economic cooperation and trade. Makoni is a believer in coaching and motivating others to achieve. He has a BCom, MCom, and MBA with a Business background. He has a passion for Pacific Community development in all areas of life. Social enterprise is his development dream for Pacific community groups and families.


Tu’uu Mary Autagavaia & Tanoa’i Michael Tanoa’iEpiphany Trust - Aganu’u Fa’asamoa 101

LEADING & CARING FOR OUR FAMILIES,

COMMUNITIES & COUNTRY STREAM

Epipthany Trust run a programme AGANU’U FA’ASAMOA101 – taught in Samoan but explained in English to help NZ born Samoans and people of other Pacific ethnicities to fully understand the Samoan culture and also for those with limited fluency. The programme requires participants to learn and speak in different environments ranging from funerals to weddings, community meetings and other special occasions. The programme is led by Tuu’u Mary Autagavaia and Tanoa’i Michael Tanoa’i of the Epiphany Trust – the Aganu’u Fa’asamoa 101 programme is to encourage the preservation of traditional Pacific knowledge through language.


Phylesha Brown-ActonPacific Homecare



Serving her community for 23 years, Phylesha is a champion for the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning and Intersex (LGBTQI) peoples within New Zealand and the Asia Pacific region and identifies as a Fakafifine of Niuean decent. She is also a volunteer for the Pacific Sexual Diversity Network (PSDN) and was instrumental in the setup of its secretariat. Phylesha previously has a background in the HIV/AIDS sector in regional, national and international roles, which is still an extension of her current advocacy and work as a board member for the Indigenous Māori and South Pacific AIDS Foundation (INA).


Sa Petaia FamilyVinepa Trust – Wellington



The Pacific Whānau Ora Small Grants support the broad extended family initiative targeting Sa Petaia members in Horowhenua, Porirua, Wellington and Hutt regions, as well as non-family members of various Pacific ethnicities. The programme provides a weekly study hub, financial literacy and budgeting services, computer and learner licence classes as well as identity/fa’asinomaga workshops covering Samoan history, culture and performance.


Moana VaaeluaOtahuhu College

HEALTHY LIVES – LIVING LONGER, LIVING BETTER

STREAM

Moana Vaaelua is working with a team of passionate educators at Otahuhu College, to engage Pasifika families in a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Leadership Pipeline. The STEM Leadership Pipeline has been designed to engage the whole family in STEM based learning to inspire, motivate, enrich and empower Pasifika students to successfully enter and complete tertiary studies. The design of the programme ensures an increase in the value students and their families place on the opportunities STEM subjects offer as career pathways. Moana has been teaching for 16 years in decile 1 schools, with predominantly Pasifika families. She is currently the Assistant Principal (Community & Whānau) at Otahuhu College.


Akarere HenrySouth Waikato Pacific Islands Community Services


STREAM

Akarere Henry is the Chief Executive Officer for South Waikato Pacific Islands Community Services, a Pacific NGO who hold a number of clinical, health promotion and social services contracts. Akarere is of Cook Islands descent from the island of Aitutaki and the village Amuri from her father, and from the island of Penrhyn and the village of Omoka from her mother. Akarere married a handsome young man from the island of Pukapuka. They have 4 children and 4 grandchildren who are the real successes of her life. She is a strong advocate for all things Pacific in her community, and has extensive governance experience with many local and regional interest groups. Akarere’s dream job is to own a bookshop that has recliner seating, a coffee peculator bubbling away and being able to read to her hearts content. She lives by the mantra ‘we cannot discover new oceans, until we have the courage, to lose sight of the shore’.


Hamish CrooksPacific Homecare


STREAM

Hamish Crooks has worked in the private, public, and community sectors for almost 30 years by focusing on Pacific community and economic development initiatives. He is currently the Chief Executive of Pacific Homecare and Managing Director of 4PM Group, which both focus on community development. Hamish’s current focus with Pacific Homecare is providing support services to the homes of elderly and people with disabilities in the Auckland Region, serving over 550 consumers and delivering over 5,000 hours of services each week. Over 85% of his work is with Pacific families and focuses on delivering quality services in a culturally appropriate way. More recently Pacific Homecare has focussed on adding services to meet the needs of its communities by developing a drop in centre for elderly, which is ethnic specific, to address the issue of loneliness and isolation. Opening a home and working with families to assist young men on the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to

live more independently, and Whānau Ora services to address the more holistic needs of families living in challenging circumstances. Hamish is currently the Chair of the Fonua Ola Network Trust (www.fonuaola.org.nz); a Pacific Social Service collective, a trustee of the Pacific Peoples Advancement Trust since 2009 (www.ppat.org.nz); another collective of community education providers, and a trustee on Pacific Advance Senior School Board (www.pass.school.nz) delivering a new partnership school for Pacific students, a Board member of the Counties Manukau Pacific Trust (a.k.a. Vodafone Events Centre) (www.pacific.org.nz) delivering an events centre in South Auckland, Chair of Empower Asia Trust (www.empower.asia); a partnership work on delivering support and education services to the children in developing countries in South East Asia and a board member of Taikura Trust (www.taikura.org.nz) delivering services to people with disabilities in Auckland.


Rainer WichmanAere Tai Collective


STREAM

Rainer Wichman is of Cook Island decent and her vaka (village) is Puaikura in Rarotonga. She is 26 years old. Rainer has a 6 year old son who has been immersed in both the worlds of Cook Island Culture and customs and Western ideology. Rainer believes that the concepts of Whanau is her bridging foundation from which she learned, love and succeed and is also the reason she has chosen to be involved in social science field. Rainer is currently the project officer at K’aute Pasifika, based in Hamilton. She manages the Pasifika Futures Whanau Ora Programme over the Midlands. Her background is in social work and having the strong desire to work with Pacific people. She believes she scored a better role as Project Officer for

Whanau Ora for the Midland Pacific Collective- Aere Tai Network. “Whanau Ora has been an exciting programme to implement, not only for staff throughout the midlands but for all our Pasifika families as well. Our Families now have the opportunity to gain support in all areas of the assessment – Economic development, Education, Health, Leadership and Culture, which have been progressing well towards their desired outcomes. We have seen and experienced many achievements, successes and celebrations throughout this year but not before acknowledging and addressing the barriers and challenges our Pasifika families have and are facing. We look forward to moving through this programme to address these and to build on our stories of success.”


Nigel TurnbullMt Roskill Police

WHĀNAU ORA PARTNER STORIES

Nigel Turnbull is a Senior Constable in the NZ Police. Nigel is a Police Officer with 16 years of service. He has served in both South Auckland and more recently in Auckland City. Nigel’s experience in the Police over the last 12 years has been working as a Youth Aid & Youth Development Officer based in the Western area of Auckland City. He is currently the Director for the Police Youth Development Trust called ‘Community Approach’, having held the role for the last 4 years. The organisation works alongside young people and

their families covering a wide range of issues. They are passionate about getting amazing and life changing outcomes for the families they serve. Nigel’s other personal interests include surfing, basketball, and bodybuilding. He is also passionate about supporting his wife and daughters in all of their various endeavours and adventures. Nigel is of Scottish heritage and married to Elizabeth who is Fijian/Irish in heritage. They have four beautiful daughters aged 20, 10, 8 and 6.


TJ TaotuaPasifika Foundation Trust


TJ’s role at the Pasifika Foundation Trust is a Business Development Manager. His role is to develop new opportunities for the Foundation and to find innovative ways to promote their core business, which is the delivery of the Aha Music Mentoring Programme, as well as the delivery of the SPICE programme (Song writing for Pasifika Families to build Identity, Culture and Education) and managing key stakeholder relationships. TJ worked as a consultant for Integrity Professionals (IPRO) for

2 years, specialising in evaluations, Pacific research based projects, and service reviews based mostly in the health sector. TJ was the winner of the Best Pacific Gospel Artist and Best Pacific Male Artist at this year’s Pacific Music Awards and he has worked extensively in the tertiary education, youth and health, government and music sectors over the past 15 years. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Victoria University and he is happily married with 3 beautiful children.


Vui Mark GoscheVaka Tautua Ltd


Vui Mark Gosche is the Chief Executive of Vaka Tautua, a role he took up in July 2014 after 5 years on the board. Prior to this he was the Chief Advisor Strategic Relationships at the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs in Auckland. Vui was a Member of Parliament (1996- 2008) and held the Ministerial portfolios of Housing, Pacific Island Affairs, Transport, Corrections and Racing. Subsequently leaving politics he has also held a number of governance roles including NZ Rugby League, TYLA Trust, COMET Auckland, Vaka Tautua, Brain Injury Association and currently serves on the boards

of Lifewise, Talklink Trust and Fonua Ola. Vaka Tautua is a Pacific community health provider working in the areas of disability, mental health and older people with offices in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Vui’s experience extends into his personal life, as he is a caregiver for his wife Carol. Carol had a severe brain haemorrhage in 2002. As a result, Vui has learnt to not only navigate the health system but also appreciate to the tremendous work that so many of our careers, health workers, family and friends do in helping others (with disabilities) to live their everyday lives.

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