Supporting the Pasifika community with a new partnership initiative

A safe and culturally appropriate space has now been established at the Niuvaka office in Palmerston North, offering Pasifika families a welcoming and supportive environment to meet with Kāinga Ora and MSD representatives.

Kāinga Ora Senior Housing Support Manager Lusia says the Pasifika Community Clinics provide a valuable opportunity to connect with Pasifika communities.

Front row: Talei Samasoni (MSD), Lusia (Kāinga Ora) Back row, from left: Mutsuo Hatakeyama, Sharron Smith, Dana Kunaiti, Waimarama Albert, Metaio Malama (Niuvaka Trust)

“Niuvaka referred one of their clients to me who had been in hospital for several months after having his leg amputated. Before this, he had been living in a private rental, but his landlord was unwilling to make the necessary modifications for him to return home. The hospital could no longer keep a bed for him, so he was eventually sent to a rest home to await a modified home. After a couple of months, we were able to house him in an accessible home which he absolutely loves,” says Lusia.

When an appointment is made with Niuvaka Trust, they provide Kāinga Ora and MSD with a brief overview of the family’s needs before the clinic. This allows both agencies to respond to Pasifika communities more effectively and efficiently.

“The Pasifika Community Clinics make a huge difference in the level of engagement of our communities,” says Dana Kunaiti, General Manager at Niuvaka Trust. “As a result, we have been able to support people in employment, place them in social housing, and ensure they receive all the necessary benefits and entitlements.”

“We want to make a real difference for the Pasifika communities we serve and are passionate about advancing aspirations for Tagata Pasifika,” Dana adds. “We are grateful to Kāinga Ora and MSD for recognising the need to do things differently to better meet the needs of our Pasifika communities.”

Raquel Hudson, MSD Regional Housing Manager – Central, highlights the importance of this collaboration.

“Partnering with Niuvaka Trust has allowed us to support mutual clients in an environment where they feel comfortable and familiar. Moving away from our service centres and into the community has proven successful, particularly for those who find large office environments challenging. We appreciate Niuvaka welcoming our staff into their space and value our close partnership with Kāinga Ora in achieving these positive outcomes.”