Tapatoru would like to be a
point of contact and dispersal of information for our whanau. We would also like to share and build our networks with friends,
family and colleagues of whanau in the Wellington
area as well as community groups and agencies who support and affiliate to the
work of Tapatoru.
WHO ARE WE? My name is Karen and I was
whangai’d to a Maori whanau in Otaki (Ngati Raukawa) at the age of 15 and my
partner Peri is of Te Arawa, Tapuika descent. Together we span 60 years within
the wider LGBTI community here in Wellington.
Over the years we have lost a lot of our whanau through ill
health, unfortunate and avoidable circumstances. We wondered just how
confident we are about our future as we
age, or if one of us dies, who will look after the other. And we wanted
something like Tapatoru
to start a long process of bringing our whanau together to (a)
strengthen our ties; (b) prepare us for those times when we lose
whanau; (c) ensure we are informed with what is happening in our wider
trans world as well as our country; (d) plan for our future as we age.
I
guess two main areas that Tapatoru can certainly work on improving is
our concept of: the present and the future of Maori trans in Wellington.
The short term vision of Tapatoru is to encourage more opportunities to gather
as a whanau and to celebrate unity, connectedness and work together to build our
support networks within our community here in Wellington. Our focus is to enhance our
present situation with supporting our trans whanau in ways that will encourage
fun, action and build stronger relationships.
The long term dream (moemoea) of Tapatoru is to provide a
place for our aging community. Whatver shape, form, size that will be -
will only happen if we make a start now and develop it together as a
whanau. While some of us may not enjoy the fruits of our work, we know
that as a people, we have made a start to contribute to our generations
to come.
Our intention may seem vague at this stage. I assure you though, both Peri and I committed ourselves to a year long course to understand the 'bigger' picture of Tapatoru in relation to the long term dream (moemoea). While we have paperwork relevant to setting up a business as such, we also feel it is necessary to be flexible yet focussed and therefore the relationship building and bringing together of our whanau will be hugely important as we work towards the long term dream (moemoea). Without our people - it is all worth nothing!
Leading the way in how we care for and support our aging Maori trans whanau residing in Wellington, New Zealand.
To create opportunities to bring our Maori trans whanau together either through gatherings or communication that will keep us all informed and proactive within our homes, our country, the world. If we as a people can unite and make progress for our well being and future - our example to the world will lead the way for all indigenous peoples worlwide.
To meet the unmet needs of our Maori trans whanau through a supportive and specifically designed 'home away from home' - a unique service and community experience. To reach this goal will require strong relationships and management of Tapatoru.
Our dream is that our good reputation to provide a service to our Maori trans whanau; will inspire support for this initiative worldwide.
Respect/Manaaki
- To value our aging Maori trans whanau in their role as elders/kaumatua - Ensure our aging Maori trans whanau are comfortable with the fast paced world of today - Keeping our aging Maori trans whanau connected with life within the wider community - Uphold our aging Maori trans whanau by caring where possible for individual and family well being
Unity/kotahitanga
- Provide support toward individual or a combined voice as required - Instigate opportunities to bring together our aging Maori trans whanau to celebrate and remember
