Papatūānuku works alongside whānau in Rotorua
Papatūānuku Support Services is a relatively new Rotorua organisation built around the experiences of its founders and a desire to support whānau dealing with family harm and generational trauma.
Renee Kingi and her partner, Weranika Te Koru, established the organisation, drawing on their own experiences of raising children and the experiences of Renee’s children.
Today the organisation works alongside whānau through a combination of one-on-one support and wānanga.
Team leader Amalani Tupou says wānanga are at the heart of what Papatūānuku does, with programmes for wāhine, tāne, all whānau and rangatahi.
A current programme works with Year 7 and 8 students at risk of exclusion from intermediate school.
The organisation receives referrals from other agencies, local organisations, Rotorua Hospital, the family harm table and self-referrals.
Each person has an initial assessment so the team can understand where they are at and what support they need.
Some may be ready to join a wānanga straight away, while others need one-on-one support first.
“We kind of walk alongside them as they journey through our services,” Amalani says.
Papatūānuku does not try to provide every service itself. Where people need support outside its scope, such as budgeting, counselling or drug and alcohol services, the team can refer them to other organisations while continuing to support the whānau.
Amalani says the organisation has its own tikanga and kawa, but does not turn people away.
The whānau-based approach also extends to the organisation itself.
“We’re not just a team,” she says. “We are like the family to the families that we work with as well.”
Kai is an important part of that approach, with wānanga including practical activities such as cooking and preparing food to take home.
One example is a cooking activity where participants are given a $20 budget and learn how to prepare meals using limited ingredients.
The wānanga generally have around 10 to 12 participants, with group sizes kept manageable because transport is also a consideration.
Volunteers wanted for Papatūānuku wānanga
Papatūānuku is now looking for volunteers who can bring their own skills, interests and knowledge into its wānanga.
That could include playing a musical instrument, gardening, baking, knitting, photography, sport, arts and crafts, or sharing knowledge of waiata, haka, raranga and local pūrākau.
“We would love to hear from people who have lots of different talents and gifts and hobbies,” Amalani says.
The organisation is flexible about the time volunteers can offer. While regular ongoing help is welcome, people who can contribute for one or two sessions are also encouraged to get in touch.
Volunteers can work directly with whānau or help behind the scenes with food preparation and office work.
The wānanga run during school terms from Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 2pm, with no weekend work required. The organisation is also happy to have volunteers get in touch during the school holidays. Papatūānuku has recently moved to 4/36 Fairy Springs Road and is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.
People working alongside tamariki and rangatahi will need to complete the appropriate vetting checks, and training and support are provided.
People interested in offering their skills can apply online through Volunteering Services below or contact Papatūānuku Support Services on 07 216 0002.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities across the Bay of Plenty, explore this website or call 07 987 0920.
