The extreme weather events in Auckland over the weekend have seen many Pacific families request urgent food and welfare support, and Pasifika Futures Ltd (PFL), the Pacific Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency, have mobilised quickly to respond to these needs by working closely with core partners such as The Fono and Etu Pasifika Auckland to serve our most vulnerable communities.

We met with the team at PICT Gisborne about the work they do; we also had the opportunity to speak to two mothers who have received support for their family. The team at PICT is carrying out some amazing work to serve Pacific families in their region!

Ōtāhuhu College is a school located in South Auckland and has a long-standing partnership with Pasifika Futures (PFL). With around 1000 pupils, 80% of the student population is made up Pasifika and Māori. The college works alongside PFL in an innovative way, where the vision and goal is to enhance the educational well-being of students and make it sustainable.

Situated amongst the vibrant atmosphere of Tauranga is the Pacific Island Community Trust (PICT) Bay of Plenty. PICT Bay of Plenty is an organisation that focuses on health, well-being and social services. Their team is made up of around eighteen staff and approaches health from a holistic Pacific perspective.

We talked to CEO of K'aute Pasifika Trust, Leaupepe Rachel Karalus, and her team about the work they do to serve the Pacific community in their region. We were privileged to also talanoa with a mother who has received support from the Trust.

Located in the Hastings suburb of Flaxmere stands Pasifika Futures (PFL) partner, Kainga Pasifika Services (KPS), a fairly new organisation that has made huge differences in their community - particularly in the area of healthy relationships in family homes.

During the 1960’s and 1970’s, New Zealand received its first wave of migrants from Tokelau. Some of the migrants settled in Porirua, a city that is now the home for many Pasifika. In 1987 the Matauala Hall was built, funded by Tokelau community members. The hall exists and serves as a space for the Tokelau community residing in Porirua.

Vinepa Trust is a Pacific organisation based in the capital city, Wellington. The organisation was named after the current Director’s - Gabrielle-Sisifo Makisi QSM - great, great grandmother, Vinepa Toalepai Aiono Petaia. Vinepa Trust has been a charitable trust for fourteen years and continues to expand and provide positive outcomes. The trust provides culture, language and health programmes, with Makisi’s education sessions as the focal point.

Throughout this year, Pasifika Futures' (PFL) Learning and Development (L&D) team have been delivering the Kanorau Digital Course for Pacific communities and families across the country – the programme aims to equip individuals with the necessary knowledge to use a laptop and navigate online tools.

Aotearoa Tongan Health Workers Association (ATHWA) has recently celebrated twenty years of service having launched in 2002 and becoming officially registered in 2005. They have also recently opened a new building and advocate for sustainability and development in the social and economical world.

There is no denying the unique sound of the Cook Island drums, the friendly nature of the culture and people, and the exciting tourism scene when it comes to the Cook Islands - especially when you are greeted by a local person who shines a smile with a confident ‘Kia Orana’ your way.

We had the opportunity to speak to the team at Marlborough Pacific Trust about the work they do and communities they serve. We were also privileged to sit down with a family who receives support from the Trust.