Celebrating 36 years: Needs of whānau at heart of Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga
Being able to respond to the changing needs of whānau has been key to the success of Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga, its longest-serving kaimahi (staff member) believes.
The kaupapa Māori organisation, based in Heretaunga (Hastings), recently marked 36 years - an in-person celebration delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The charitable trust provides a wide range of health, social and education services to more than 10,000 whānau, and has a 370 strong workforce.
After a 26 year career with Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga Keita Hapi says the values of the organisation have remained at the fore since the beginning.
“The thousands of whānau that we have helped so far, and the thousands that we are yet to see come through our doors do so because our values have always been the cornerstone of who we are, what we do and how we do it.
“There was a time when access to services was just about transport, now we consider our hours, the many different ways whānau can contact us, the language that we use and our ability to respond to the changing needs of whānau.”
Ms Hapi was invited to cut the cake with Waylyn Tahuri-Whaipakanga who took up the role of CEO in May this year.
Ms Tahuri-Whaipakanga sees her role as upholding the aspirations of those kaumatua who started and led the organisation into a space that has "reframed, reset and reclaimed services for whānau by Māori, for Māori and with Māori on behalf of our marae and hapū in Heretaunga".
“We continue to walk with whānau on a journey of reclaiming mana motuhake over whānau ora leading to stronger involvement at marae, hapū and Iwi level,” says Ms Tahuri-Whaipakanga.
Ms Hapi believes "anything is possible".
"Through whanaungatanga and kotahitanga we might even be able to open a hospital and a whare wānanga (university) one day."
