Emerge Aotearoa’s Tagata Pasifika Success Celebration event on 31 May was a wonderfully colourful occasion that honoured the contribution of Pacific peoples in New Zealand.
Hosted by the Emerge Aotearoa Trust and Chief Executive Dr Barbara Disley, the Auckland event included guest speakers Māngere MP Hon Aupito Su’a William Sio and Te Whatu Ora National Director, Pacific Health, Markerita Poutasi.
Emerge Aotearoa Group Director – Pasifika Responsiveness Sulutumu Vailoa Milo-Harris said the event was a brilliant opportunity to celebrate and champion Tagata Pasifika talent.
“We were delighted to welcome Aupito Su’a William Sio and Markerita Poutasi to our celebration event to share and showcase Pasifika success within the organisation,” she says.
Members of the Pacific community and a number of health and social service providers also attended the occasion and enjoyed the celebration and connection.
“In my role leading Emerge Aotearoa’s Pasifika Responsiveness Team, I am privileged to see first-hand the organisation’s wide-reaching efforts to provide culturally-responsive and inclusive services. Every day, we strive to ensure Tagata Pasifika feel welcome and supported when using our services and have equitable access to the resources and information they need to live well.”
A booklet, Celebrating Pasifika at Emerge Aotearoa, was also launched at the celebratory event, which features the stories of Pasifika people, programmes, and initiatives.
‘Thriving Pacific Peoples’ is one of Emerge Aotearoa’s strategic pou. As part of its commitment to this mahi, the organisation provides culturally responsive Pasifika specific and Pasifika focused services that are managed and staffed by Pasifika people, for Pasifika people. Emerge Aotearoa has also been building its Pasifika capability and increased Pasifika representation on the Board and, within management teams.
