Auckland Update from our CE Paula Tesoriero
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Video transcript
Kia ora tātou, ko Paula Tesoriero toku ingoa, the Chief Executive of Whaikaha - the Ministry of Disabled People.
I am standing in front of a white wall wearing a white t-shirt, and I have short brown hair.
It's a really tough time for many people out there right now. As always, it’s our community leaders on the ground coordinating support and getting things done. Whaikaha is here to continue to provide support. It is a tough time for many out there.
I want to thank disabled people, families and whānau, disabled people's organisations, providers, NGOs, NASCs, my team at Whaikaha, other government agencies and allies working together to ensure disabled people and their whānau have what they need.
I am really proud of how quickly we have all united to provide the support. This is especially difficult when I know that some of you have been directly impacted by the flooding.
Please look after yourself and each other. Please keep a lookout on Whaikaha's Facebook page. The link is below for further updates and information on where to get support for disabled people. We are here to continue providing support and collaborating with everybody. Thank you.
Whaikaha Facebook Page: facebook.com/whaikaha.govt
Kia ora Community,
Thank you all for your support as we navigate this challenging time for disabled people and their whānau in Tāmaki Makaurau and surrounding areas.
Over the last 24 hours Whaikaha implemented its response to the state of emergency in Tāmaki Makaurau. I am very proud of my team’s efforts and what we have been able to achieve so far in collaboration with others.
We were quick to respond to concerns from the community and seek assurances and assistance from colleagues across government where needed.
The outcomes for our community could not have happened without the dedication of disabled people supporting each other, whānau continuing to support and seek solutions for their disabled family members, Taikura Trust, Whaikaha’s Needs Assessment Service Coordination (NASC) in Tāmaki Makaurau, along with the many providers working together to find solutions for people in need and an across sector commitment to ensuring messages were readily available in accessible formats.
A big thanks to the community members on the ground also providing us with information to act on. Thank you all for your mahi in this space.
Check our
community update (DOCX 79KB) for the information in summary outlining the key activities since the state of emergency was called for Whaikaha, what we have been hearing from the community and our responses. Our response will continue throughout the long weekend as the rain continues to impact people living in Tāmaki Makaurau and surrounding areas.
As always, throughout this time please get in touch with your usual point of contact at Whaikaha. For urgent matters please see all the contact details on our website news article Extreme Weather in Auckland and our Whaikaha Facebook page. external URL
Keep safe and I will be in touch if any situations change for our community members.
Ngā mihi nui,
Paula Tesoriero MNZM
Te Tumu Whakarae | Chief Executive
Whaikaha | Ministry of Disabled People