Pasefika Development
In March 2023, Judy Matai’a was appointed to the role of Head of Housing and Pasefika Development. This is her first annual report relating to Pasefika Development.
I want to begin this report by extending my gratitude to Lisa Woolley for her invaluable support for our Pasefika staff, it has created opportunities in facilitating honest, growth-focused, and strategic dialogue together. Over the past twelve months, we have conducted three productive Fono to devise strategies aimed at enhancing and promoting leadership, increasing cultural awareness and competence, and contributing to policies and data that bolster service delivery for staff. Additionally, we have reviewed how our engagement with our Pasefika communities can be bolstered.
The Trust has approved the appointment of a part-time Pasefika Strategic Coordinator to assist in the development of a formal plan. More immediately the plan will aim to deepen our understanding of how to continue supporting our kaupapa Māori journey across the organisation, while also elevating the profile of Pasefika leadership.
The support from our board member, Lady Maliena Jones, has been particularly significant. It serves as a powerful and important demonstration of support from all leadership levels within the Trust, which is deeply felt by our Pasefika staff. During our most recent Fono, our Talanoa focused on understanding leadership from a Pasefika perspective, and the challenges often encountered in articulating this within contexts outside our cultural worldviews.
I extend my thanks to Lisa, Sandra Hewlett, and Maliena for their participation in our Fono. I also want to say a hearty fa’afetai tele lava to our Pasefika staff who are so generous in sharing our cultures of the Moana.
Judy Matai’a, Head of Housing and Pasefika Development

