He kōrero nā te Tumuaki – A message from our CEO, Liz Kelly
Celebrating our people, our place, and our power to uplift each other
Kia ora e te whānau,
Welcome to the very first edition of our Porirua Whānau Centre Panui!
I’m excited to kick things off and give you a glimpse into what we’re working on, who we’re working with, and the communities that inspire it all.
Every month, this pānui will share stories from right across our Centre, stories about whānau finding stable housing, gaining new skills, navigating tricky budgets, and seeking tautoko (support) through our various programmes and counselling services.
We’ll also shine a light on our kaupapa-driven programmes like Mātua Power, Mana Wāhine, Mana Tāne, our Parenting Programme, to name a few
At the heart of each of these stories are our whānau: Mums, dads, nannies, koro, rangatahi, kaumātua, who are showing incredible strength and resilience.
While our services might help them build that strength, they’re mahi is what really drives the change that makes a difference.
Our kaimahi walk alongside them and their whānau, with aroha and manaakitanga, to build something better together.
Our Centre is not just a building. It’s a movement. A whānau. A safe place where people feel seen, heard, and valued.
That’s all thanks to our incredible team, our people who show up every day with passion, creativity and care.
They are the pou that hold this place up. I want to take a moment to mihi to each of them. Your mahi is making a real and lasting difference.
I also want to acknowledge our wider community.
Whether you’ve come through our doors for support, popped in for a kōrero, or simply stood by us in spirit, you are part of this story too.
Your resilience inspires us. Your trust grounds us. And your hope? That’s what keeps us showing up.
One of the key messages I want to share in this first issue is about that very thing: resilience.
The kind of resilience that grows when whānau are empowered, not just helped. The kind that comes from connection, not isolation. And the kind we build not just for today, but for the future of our tamariki and mokopuna.
Each month, we’ll also take time to celebrate key milestones or new initiatives. In this issue, we’re proud to share the launch of our new budgetary service, a profile on a mum renting her first home, and one young man who has grown in confidence and now has his first job.
We know life isn’t always easy. But we also know that, together, we are strong. Through these stories, we hope you’ll find inspiration, information, and a little spark of hope.
Thanks for being with us on this journey. We’re excited to have you reading along with us.