Taeaomanino Trust

1. Taeaomanino Trust Engaging Pacific Communities 7 May 2010

2. Organisational History First funding in 1991 $2000 from Dept of Internal Affairs One volunteer worker 2010 � 1.3 mil turnover 27 paid staff, 18 active volunteer workers Main sources of income MSD, MoH, CCDHB Talk about history When I talk about Taeaomanino�s history in this manner is collapses nearly a 20 year organisational journey into a snapshot. What this picture doesn�t show is the joyous highs that we experienced, like getting our first Govt contract, winning the inaugural Pacific Community Enterprise Award, and the discouraging lows like the breakdown of a relationship between us and another organisation with whom we had worked closely with for a number of years. Today I hope to use our 20 year journey to provoke the way you think in terms of engaging with Pacific and also give you some tangible things to take away with you.Talk about history When I talk about Taeaomanino�s history in this manner is collapses nearly a 20 year organisational journey into a snapshot. What this picture doesn�t show is the joyous highs that we experienced, like getting our first Govt contract, winning the inaugural Pacific Community Enterprise Award, and the discouraging lows like the breakdown of a relationship between us and another organisation with whom we had worked closely with for a number of years. Today I hope to use our 20 year journey to provoke the way you think in terms of engaging with Pacific and also give you some tangible things to take away with you.

3. Engaging Pacific Communities Important to recognise different perspectives of community engagement Consultation One off Initiatives e.g. Creekfest, Strong Pacific Action Week Work towards engaging for sustainability We are often not on the same page when we talk about engaging with the Pacific community. Quite often people talk about engaging with the Pacific community when in actual fact they are �consulting� with the community. There is an element of engagement, but to me true engagement has an element of longevity, or sustainability. In my opinion you should be working towards engaging for sustainability � or building relationships that outlast the consultation or one-off initiative phase, but are longstanding, real and reciprocal � that is all parties benefit as a result.We are often not on the same page when we talk about engaging with the Pacific community. Quite often people talk about engaging with the Pacific community when in actual fact they are �consulting� with the community. There is an element of engagement, but to me true engagement has an element of longevity, or sustainability. In my opinion you should be working towards engaging for sustainability � or building relationships that outlast the consultation or one-off initiative phase, but are longstanding, real and reciprocal � that is all parties benefit as a result.

4. Our Expertise We don�t see ourselves as experts in engaging Pacific communities We ARE the Pacific community We are experts in engaging mainstream agencies and demystifying fa�a Pasefika When we have a new initiative or programme we don�t sit back and think how are we going to engage the Pacific community. We think�Ina goes to Holy Family Church. Nonu belongs to Norths Rugby Club. Avea�i�s and Isaia (volunteer staff) are running a programme for marginalised youth in the Creek. I say we are experts in engaging mainstream because in most cases our sustainable relationships were established because of our interest in them, not their interest in us�that came later! Challenge for agencies is how do you create these links to engage the Pacific community.When we have a new initiative or programme we don�t sit back and think how are we going to engage the Pacific community. We think�Ina goes to Holy Family Church. Nonu belongs to Norths Rugby Club. Avea�i�s and Isaia (volunteer staff) are running a programme for marginalised youth in the Creek. I say we are experts in engaging mainstream because in most cases our sustainable relationships were established because of our interest in them, not their interest in us�that came later! Challenge for agencies is how do you create these links to engage the Pacific community.

5. The Dilemma Stop sending ducks to eagle school Stop treating our eagles like ducks Remember An eagle can spot eagles, ducks can spot ducks Just because someone is Pacific, is married to a Pacific person, lived next door to a Pacific person � don�t assume they are the right person to engage with Pacific peoples. Furthermore, sending someone with no community experience is simply, damaging on all sides. Jim Rohn wrote a book called Don�t send your Ducks to Eagle school. I think this aptly describes this concept.Just because someone is Pacific, is married to a Pacific person, lived next door to a Pacific person � don�t assume they are the right person to engage with Pacific peoples. Furthermore, sending someone with no community experience is simply, damaging on all sides. Jim Rohn wrote a book called Don�t send your Ducks to Eagle school. I think this aptly describes this concept.

6. How can you make people who live like this��How can you make people who live like this��

7. Understand, appreciate and value the world view of people who live like this�. Understand, appreciate and value the world view of people who live like this�.

9. More Dilemmas Understanding �Yes means No� Syndrome The Hit and Run Moan and Groan Following up, if Pacific complain � LISTEN and ACT or explain why not Always come back to us with a result � positive or negative We know Palagi�s too you know so be mindful of who you complain to.

10. Pacific Best Practise Role Models Sina Umaga - MSD Rosetta Iupeli - MSD Dr Debbie Ryan � Pacific Perspectives Dr Api Talemaitoga � MoH Kerupi Tavita � Self Employed/Community

11. Characteristics A strong sense of cultural identity Le Va � the sacred space that weaves between relationships Feagaiga � the covenant between men and women Well qualified by both Palagi and Pacific standards Are not afraid to articulate their passion for Pacific and their desire to achieve the best for Pacific peoples to all parties � and so this with respect Maintain your confidence, are discreet

12. Non Pacific Best Practise Role Models Carmela Petagna � MoH Allan Jones (formerly DIA, now MSD) Sonya Cameron (formerly, CYF not NZAID)

13. Characteristics Genuinely supportive of quality services for Pacific�.and any other marginalised group Always provide options Aren�t afraid to be wrong Call when they don�t need to Take a genuine interest in what you�re doing outside of the primary relationship Will advocate for you

14. Mainstream organisations that are doing it well Lower Hutt Family Centre Wesley Community Action Cannons Creek Fanau Centre Whitireia Polytechnic � Dr Jean Mitaera/ Dr Margaret Southwick

15. Characteristics Allow Pacific to be Pacific Maximise use of all facets of Pacific, skills, knowledge, leadership, experience Know that their Pacific staff are the Pacific community Actively advocate for Pacific If a meeting takes 5 hours instead of the allocated 1 one hour, this is understood and supported Use all facets of leadershipIf a meeting takes 5 hours instead of the allocated 1 one hour, this is understood and supported Use all facets of leadership

16. Summary Have you got sustainable community engagement with Pacific peoples? Rate your success Earlier in my presentation I said that our expertise is in engaging mainstream, not engaging Pacific, because we are the Pacific community. Our staff are well connected to the heart and soul of the Pacific community. I feel confident stating our expertise is in engaging mainstream because, as an organisation, between our Board members, management and staff we have sustainable connections with every Govt Dept, Crown Agency, Educational Institution and NGO in the Wellington region. When you can say that you have the same for the Samoan, Tokelauan, Tuvaluan, Fijian, Cook Island, PukaPuka, Niuean communities, at a minimum, then I would say you are on your way to achieving your goal. If an organisation of 27 people can do it for the entire public service, then surely it�s achieveableEarlier in my presentation I said that our expertise is in engaging mainstream, not engaging Pacific, because we are the Pacific community. Our staff are well connected to the heart and soul of the Pacific community. I feel confident stating our expertise is in engaging mainstream because, as an organisation, between our Board members, management and staff we have sustainable connections with every Govt Dept, Crown Agency, Educational Institution and NGO in the Wellington region. When you can say that you have the same for the Samoan, Tokelauan, Tuvaluan, Fijian, Cook Island, PukaPuka, Niuean communities, at a minimum, then I would say you are on your way to achieving your goal. If an organisation of 27 people can do it for the entire public service, then surely it�s achieveable