Thank you!

Last week we bid farewell to Helen Leahy, who has stepped down from her role as Pouārahi at Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu, the Whānau Ora commissioning agency for the South Island, and is heading north with her whānau to start a new chapter.

Helen has been a familiar and supportive face for iwi, hapū, whānau and many more Māori rōpū over the past seven years.

So many beautiful words were spoken about this fierce wāhine toā last week, including from our own leaders Co-Chair Dave Johnston and Pouwhakahaere Rauemi Dr Lorr Eade.

“Helen’s approach is inclusive, mana enhancing, innovative, and always with whanau wellbeing at the centre,” says Lorr. “We have been fortunate to have her leadership, her grace, presence and support within Te Tauihu.”

And from Dave: “We are so grateful for Helen’s leadership and the positive influence she has had across Te Tauihu and Te Waipounamu. Her achievements through her mahi, drive, thoughtfulness and aroha will be enduring and she has inspired us to never give up as whānau will always succeed if they have the right support by their side."

Me te mihi nui mo o manaakitanga.