Healthy Families Invercargill is thrilled to introduce Courtney Heke-McColgan, our new Rautaki Māori. Progressing the Ngā Tūmanako o Ngā Hau e Whā Community Needs Assessment will be guiding Courtney’s early mahi. The assessment has been a large piece of work for Courtney over the last 12 months, evaluating how to best service Ngā Hau e Whā Marae and Te Kōhanga Reo I Ngā Hau e Whā.

“This community needs assessment is for Māori and discovering what their aspirations are for the future. The goal was to engage with whānau of the marae, the kōhanga, and the wider community to achieve the best outcomes that will meet the needs of whānau aspirations. We also talked about property, and how to utilise the marae itself, its new and old buildings.”

To achieve this engagement Courtney held 13 hui, ran surveys, and carried out many interviews with kaumatua and agencies that support kaupapa Māori – it was a busy 12 months! This was an individual project for Courtney; she learned the Murihiku community is full of rangatira who just need the opportunity to activate themselves, and a platform to materialise their vision for the future. “I would love to pick up recommendations from the needs assessment and bring them to fruition here at Healthy Families Invecargill. There’s scope to take the initiative into its next phase and channel investment; to see the old property repurposed, and inform future use of the marae.”

Besides her passion for uplifting her hapori, Courtney makes plenty of time for whānau and whakapapa. Mahinga kai is important to Courtney and her whānau. Fishing, diving, harvesting tītī, and hunting are all practiced, and the tikanga of connecting with kai that is significant to Murihiku – like tītī and kanakana.

Courtney knows her numbers, she has a Bachelor of Commerce (double major in finance and economics), and a background of working with private wealth and investments. She is now looking forward to swapping spreadsheets and stocks for seeing the impact of her mahi in the community space. “I’d like to work in improving the quality of life for my community, my people. I’d like to see Māori living long and healthy lives. Nōku te korikori, ka kori mai hoki koe - When I move, so shall you move with me.”

ENDS

Article added: Friday 22 November 2024