On the ground in Te Tauihu

Te Kotahi o Te Tauihu Charitable Trust was set up in February 2021 by the eight iwi of Te Tauihu o Te Waka-a-Māui (top of the South Island) to advance health and wellbeing, alleviate poverty, ensure adequate food and housing is available and promote education and skills for the benefits of the communities of Te Tauihu (the top of the South Island) and in particular in Māori communities.

Te Kotahi o Te Tauihu Charitable Trust has been on the ground working alongside our whānau in Te Tauihu throughout the pandemic. As well as supporting whānau in isolation with kai and other needs, kaimahi have been working to help whānau secure mahi and training; they have also supported dozens of families with things like driver licensing, access to health services and support navigating the court system.

Pouwhakahaere Rauemi, Dr Lorraine Eade said that in March alone, kaitūhono supported 1092 individuals with kai.

“In terms of our Hoe Whāngai, one of four strategic priorities, we have supported about 6000 people who have been struggling through the pandemic or just struggling to survive on low incomes.

“It shows us that the need is certainly there. It also shows us what we can do when kotahitanga and partnership is at the front and centre. It has been just a little over a year since the eight manawhenua iwi came together to form Te Kotahi o Te Tauihu Trust and support all Māori across Te Tauihu. I think both the numbers and the relationships forged in that time tell us that was a great decision.”  

TkoTT has also been actively supporting Māori health providers with the vaccination rollout and while Dr Eade says this has become a more challenging task, it remains important.

“We’re all becoming a bit more comfortable with Covid-19 in our communities and a lot of us have had it now. But we are still seeing Māori over-represented in terms of hospitalisations and we know vaccination can be the difference, so it’s important we don’t take our foot of the pedal. Nearly 100% of our kaumātua are vaccinated, we need to see more of our younger generations to make that decision, too.”