A global pandemic interrupted all conventional action known to us… and as an organisation we met it head on and went into action. We seriously worked hard over this period and I acknowledge our staff—every day we were presented with new challenges. Life flipped upside down for everyone, most of us managed well and accolades to the parents and caregivers that also became schoolteachers. Our whānaungatanga though won the day; our sense of duty and belonging to each other made every extraordinary challenge surmountable in Te Hiku. Te Hiku is a unique, beautiful place to live—we are blessed to belong to this strong proud region.

Covid-19 shows us that together “we can”, that we can set aside our differences, that the system itself—when pushed to deliver on the needs of the whānau, delivered! If shaping our future is rooted in our experiences, then the lessons learned from 2020 is… to repeat again… Covid-19 shows us that together “we can” and when push comes to shove, the system can deliver to the needs of our whānau.

It is within your realm of thinking to leapfrog beyond the social and economic setbacks to Te Hiku whānau experienced pre coronavirus; is it plausible to think that an intended outcome of this virus is to position our whānau in a better, healthier, more inclusive environment? Big questions and I know the answer to be “yes”.

Over Covid, the THIDT performed well as an employer. Our cleaner became our chief happiness officer and made small gifts for every staff member (Police staff included). The morning zooms for karakia became this beautiful bonding exercise, having trustees and our Chair join these sessions amplified our whanaungatanga. The rapid intel that we could muster overnight and speedily pass on to groups like TKOT re: the whānau harm insights, the Mayors forum with business insights, the CEs in Wellington with systems insights were immediately actioned. If only our dismal statistics in unemployment, bad health, poor education and increased crime received the same intensity for change rather than making headline news?

So, my message is to keep going. As systems activists or system advocates (whichever appeals more) the Te Hiku Iwi Development Trust has a unique role to play in community-led change. Our role is to partner with the Government to fix long standing faults in the system. It is a big role. It is a unique role. Commonly, in regional areas, community providers/groups are contracted and paid to achieve the outcomes the Government prioritise. We are different. In fact, we are the opposite to these ‘norms’. Our chief role is to work together with decision makers in key Government positions to get better results and results our whānau and communities prioritise. Thanks to Treaty settlements, it is no longer a one-way road, however, change is a long, long marathon”.

Carol Berghan, CEO and Trustee of Te Hiku Iwi Development Trust, December 2020.