When Fuamoa Allen fell into a coma after brain surgery twelve years ago, her doctors advised she would not have long to live. Fuamoa’s daughter Trudy Savea refused to accept this prognosis, fighting to keep her mother alive and well cared for within the family home in Takanini.

For eight weeks over summer, Vaka Tautua has played host to several University of Otago students as part of the POPO internship programme. POPO, which stands for the Pacific Opportunities Programme at Otago, aims to increase the number of Pacific students in health related fields in Aotearoa.

In support of Mental Health Awareness Week 2022, Vaka Tautua’s Ola Fiafia Mental Health teams in the Auckland and Wellington regions held fun activities throughout the week to engage their local communities and promote mental wellbeing for Pacific people.

Vaka Tautua’s frontline staff often go above and beyond to support the Pacific people who use our services. As part of the organisation’s Ola Fiafia mental health services, the Ora’anga team supports people living with mental illness, which sometimes means addressing the underlying issues causing distress.

Vaka Tautua’s Community Support Services team in West Auckland has developed a new programme supporting the mental and physical health of Pacific peoples through active breath and movement. Group sessions are creating a sense of community and helping build confidence for those living with mental illness.

Alofa Leilua was able to overcome ongoing mental health challenges to become a thriving tertiary student, with help from Vaka Tautua’s Community Support Services in West Auckland.

In 2021, Miriam Terei-Roriki left Rarotonga for urgent medical treatment in Aotearoa. Vaka Tautua supported Miriam and her family to adjust to their new life, and learn to thrive with help from our Parenting and Tupe Wise Programmes. 

Utusaitoa Ah Kuoi is a young Samoan man who successfully navigated his way through mental health challenges to wellbeing and gainful employment, with support from Vaka Tautua’s Pacific Navigation Services in Wellington.

Jerome could not see a way out of his depression. However, with the support of Vaka Tautua’s Pacific mental health navigation services in Wellington, he is now on his way to a brighter future.