News from Waikato Women’s Refuge
Te Whakaruruhau – AUGUST 2019
Kia ora koutou,
Statistics show that over the past four years there has been a significant increase in the number of Māori newborn babies taken by the state. Rising from 110 in 2015 to 172 in 2018. I walked alongside our staff and others at the Hands Off Our Tamariki march in Wellington recently. This was our opportunity to send a strong message to government to give iwi and Māori organisations proper and adequate resourcing to address and support whānau, and to care fully for our tamariki.
Ngā mihi,
Roni Albert Waikato Women’s Refuge Te Whakaruruhau CEO
Hands Off Our Tamariki March
Meet our team
Lottie Siaosi is one of our longest serving kaimahi. She first started back in 2005 and left to help her daughter with her new baby and then came back in 2008. She is a domestic violence specialist and completed a strengthening whānau course in 2010 at Te Korowai Aroha o Aoteraoa.
What drives you to do what you do at WWR? To help the whānauwanting to move forward from the abuse – physical and verbal – helping them to help themselves.
What do you do when you’re not working? I am a full time mama to my children and grandchildren. My family are the ones who keeps me focused.
A quote that sums you up? A woman with a smile that takes away the woes and pain they are facing.
What’s something we would never guess about you? I did not like people, to me they were users and abusers.
What is your nickname? Lotto/Mama Bear
What is your spirit animal, and why? I believe that I am an eagle as I like to look down and soar the heavens.
What meal would you eat for your last supper? Boil up
Name your four favourite songs of all time? Mum by Tui Teka | Fly me to the moon by Frank Sinatra | Rockin’ Robin by Bobby Day | Knock Three Times by Tony Orlando and Dawn
Listen to Mum by Tui Teka
THE POWER TO MOVE ON
Mel Leonard sought police advice when she was being abused by her husband. Today, she is a police sergeant working to empower others.
“I have huge empathy. I share my story, I’ve been there. I can recognise the behaviours and recognise the women who are good at hiding what he’s doing. I don’t judge people. I say, when you’re ready, I’ll be here. It might be the next time or the next time.”
Mel from Stand by Me
