News from Waikato Women’s Refuge
TE WHAKARURUHAU – february 2020
Kia ora koutou,
We are on the final countdown for our annual gala dinner fundraiser Saving Rose. It’s going to be an amazing evening with a great lineup of entertainment, sensational food and stunning auction items. I’m looking forward to catching up with our awesome supporters on the night.
Events like Saving Rose also gives us the opportunity to celebrate and promote the work we do in the community. We want to provide the best possible service for the whānau we work alongside, it’s important that they believe in us just as much as we believe in their ability to make powerful changes in their lives. Sometimes the journey into living a life free from domestic violence is pitted with potholes and speed bumps but we are with the families for the long haul. Building long-term resilience for families is the key to ongoing success.
We receive around $2.5 million of funding from government and a further $200,000 from non-government sources to provide our programmes. However, our expenses are budgeted at $3.4 million – so fundraising efforts, such as Saving Rose help us make up this shortfall.
Thanks to the many artists, organisations, businesses and individuals who have supported this event, without their support Saving Rose would not be possible.
Ngā mihi,
Roni Albert
Waikato Women’s Refuge Te Whakaruruhau CEO
MEET THE TEAM
In the ten years Taina Nathan-Te Ao has been with refuge she has worked in multiple roles from the front desk to Crisis, Community, Safe Housing as well as a 12-month secondment position with the Integrated Service Response (ISR) as an Administrator.
What is your role at women’s refuge? I am currently a Team Leader working in Operations alongside an energetic and passionate team of leaders wanting to ‘Change The World’. Our team strive to be influential leaders in the background so our most important and valued frontline kaimahi have the resources they need to help make whānau safe.
How did you come to work for refuge? I found out about the position through Work and Income and applied to do Data Entry.
What drives you to do what you do at WWR? I never realised it at the time of applying but due to my lived experiences, my drive are the children.
A quote that sums you up? Believe you deserve it and the Universe will serve it.
What’s something we would never guess about you? Keep guessing…..
What would be your super power, and why? Super invisibility power – nothing can distract me while I’m working.
If you had a theme song, what would it be? Don’t forget your roots/Ukaipo by Six60
What skill or craft would you like to master? Weaving/Raranga
What movie can you watch over and over again? Selena
Stand By Me
NEW ZEALAND’S FIRST MĀORI WOMEN’S REFUGE STARTED IN A ONE-BEDROOM FLAT IN HAMILTON IN 1987, WITH RONI ALBERT AND ARIANA SIMPSON AT THE HELM.
THEIR JOURNEY FROM MODEST BEGINNINGS TO BECOMING A TRULY INFLUENTIAL ORGANISATION IS DESCRIBED IN STAND BY ME, THE STORY OF TE WHAKARURUHAU WAIKATO WOMEN’S REFUGE.
WRITTEN BY VENETIA SHERSON AND DENISE IRVINE; IMAGES BY PETER DRURY.
PUBLISHED BY TE WHAKARURUHAU.
$29.95
PURCHASE THIS STUNNING BOOK HERE OR CONTACT TE WHAKARURUHAU – REFUGE@WWRT.CO.NZ
Ken Williamson led the project to build the safe houses, which took Te Whakaruruhau from a single-bedroom flat to a purpose-built papakāinga with accommodation for 60 women and children.