Whānau Āwhina Plunket’s Post

Registrations are OPEN for Dunk it for Plunket! Sign up today to host a morning or afternoon tea fundraiser in the office. Thanks to our friends at The Arnott's Group, NZ’s Most Trusted Biscuit Brand, you’ll receive one of 1,000 ‘Dunk Kits’ - boxes jam-packed with delicious Arnott’s goodies. Raising funds for Whānau Āwhina Plunket over a cuppa and a bickie (or three) - easy and delicious! Top tip: while Dunk it for Plunket is in September, make sure you register soon to secure your Dunk Kit. Plus, kickstart your team’s fundraising with a $30 minimum donation and your workplace will go in the draw to win 1 of 3 coffee tables from Mocka! https://lnkd.in/gcY6nps7

We're #hiring a new Health, Safety & Risk Coordinator in Wellington, Wellington. Apply today or share this post with your network.

The future is bright with our next generation of nurses! Our Auckland team spent the day chatting with students about our nursing roles at The University of Auckland's Nursing Expo.   If you know an awesome grad who's passionate about working with whānau, we're hiring across the country. All of our vacancies are on our careers website. https://lnkd.in/g2yXRu8r

Our Head of Data and Insights, Rodelyn Jaksons was recently invited to be a keynote speaker at the Mathematics-in-Industry NZ (MINZ) event.    Rodelyn has a PhD in statistics from the University of Canterbury and has worked in public health and biosecurity. In 2021, she transitioned from academia and research into industry.     “Speaking at the event was an opportunity to share my journey from research into the real world. I spoke about how I used my academic skills and transferred them into different domains and disciplines – from statistical methodological development to applied scientific research and then to industry,” she says.     “The experience was quite nostalgic for me as I had always thought I would stay in the research realm. But I realised that interesting or complex problems needing creative solutions stem from industry. I’m glad I was able to transition and lean on my background when I get difficult data challenges, and to show researchers that you can have a fulfilling and challenging career outside of academia.” 

Some of our Northland team celebrated Matariki with a special Whānau Day at Te Hana Te Ao Marama Marae in the Te Hana township near the northern boundary of Auckland.     The event was led by Te Hā Oranga – an organisation providing support to whānau – to bring services and the local community together to celebrate the Māori New Year.   We have a special connection to this marae through Plunket kaiāwhina Whaea Cherrie Christy-Hita and her husband Matua Ben who have been part of establishing the Te Hana Te Ao Marama Māori Cultural Centre.   “The highlight for me personally was being taught a song reciting the names of the nine stars in the Matariki cluster by one of my new little friends at the colouring-in table," says Plunket Community Services cordinator Ema Kelly.   Caption (left-to-right): Seleisa Kolone (Plunket nurse), @Louise Haywood (Te Hā Oranga), Cherrie Christy- Hita (Plunket kaiāwhina), Julia Verberne (Plunket nurse) and Ann Neha (Te Hā Oranga).

Meet our Board member, Tarati Blair-Hunt.   Tarati (Ngāti Whātua) works in organisations that serve the most vulnerable. She is currently the Equity Partner for Quality, Safety and Risk at Te Toka Tumai Auckland (formerly Auckland District Health Board) and leads the Māori Health Provider team He Ara Whiria.   Inspired by a great line of māreikura and matriarchs focused on uplifting the wellbeing of whānau and iwi, Tarati’s vision for tamariki in Aotearoa today is that they are heard and seen and receive timely health information and support to live long and healthy lives.   You can learn more about Tarati here: https://lnkd.in/g9Pt7snt

Today, Louise Eunson our GM of Performance, Risk and Governance and Melanie Laban, our National Community Services Manager, were delighted to attend the World Refugee Day breakfast at Parliament hosted by the Hon. Minister Casey Costello. They heard stories of hope and belonging from refugees who have been welcomed to Aotearoa New Zealand to start a new life and met with community volunteers who help to settle refugees into homes and their local communities. We are proud of the mahi we do to support refugees to connect with other māmā through our playgroups, as well as our role in connecting whānau to other relevant support services in their communities.

It's National Volunteer Week and we want to give a #BigShoutOut to our wonderful volunteers across the country who dedicate their time to supporting whānau in your community. We simply could not do what we do without our volunteers, so thank you from all us here at Whānau Āwhina Plunket 💜