Te Whare Tiaki Wāhine Refuge launches Community Learning Hub in Porirua
Congratulations to the entire team at Te Whare Tiaki Wāhine Refuge, on the launch of the Community Learning Hub in Porirua in December.
We had the privilege of celebrating the vision and leadership of Caroline Herewini, CEO of Te Whare Tiaki Māori Women’s Refuge and member of the CEWH Steering Committee, at the launch of this powerful kaupapa. Our Kaihautū Dr Kathie Irwin was honoured to attend in support of Caroline and the team.
The hub will be a transformative resource for Porirua and the wider community - its impact will be felt for generations to come. Ngā mihi nui and congratulations to all involved.
Kathie shares her reflections on a powerful day that honoured leadership, collaboration, and kaupapa.
That time, when the most stunning speaker of the day, didn't say a word!
It's true.
The obvious Keynote speaker at the launch of the Te Whare Tiaki Community Training Hub in Porirua today should have been Caroline Herewini, CEO of Te Whare Tiaki Māori Women's Refuge, in Porirua.
The woman whose dream the Hub was and now is.
Caroline did not speak: yet much of the launch was connected to her.
Ngāti Toa opened the proceedings with Karakia and Mihi Whakatau.
Every speaker recognized Caroline's role, spoke to her contribution and dedicated a part of what they wanted to say to her.
They included: Local Kapiti-Mana MP Hon Barbara Edmonds; Diplomat Maarten Heetderks; District Commissioner Police Renee Perkins; and, Gagau Annandale-Stone, Social Development Regional Commissioner at Ministry of Social Development.
Gagau Annandale-Stone reminded the crowd that in New York at CSW 69, the hearing of CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women), it was Caroline who was chosen to address the 10, 000 women present on behalf of Aotearoa NZ.
The Mayor of Porirua sat front row in support, as did long time campaigner for Women's Rights and Social Justice Sue Kedgely.
Quietly sitting at the side of the event was a Kuia who is a Māori Warden. She had been in hospital in the weekend but would not miss the launch!
Mike Whaanga, Chair of Te Whare Tiaki Charitable Trust, spoke last. He spoke with a dignity and depth that was inspirational. He talked about the importance of connection and of collaboration: knowing who is who in the ZOO; who does what, where; and working together, for our tamariki, for our futures.
He reminded us that we are all, 'a whare of tiaki'. He encouraged us all to take care of the light, of the positivity in our whānau.
In his mihi to Caroline he talked about her role in terms of akiakitanga: 'akiaki o te whānau, akiaki o te hāpori'.
He spoke about kumara as a taonga of Rongo-mā-Tane. And he reminded us about the kōrero about the kumara: that it doesn't speak of its' own sweetness. So akiakitanga is important, enabling us to speak about the sweetness of others.
Mike's final words were about the place and role of the aroha of the atua and of our tīpuna in our lives and work.
As the ribbon was cut to launch this wonderful new facility, for the community of Porirua, by the community of Porirua, Caroline Herewini's vision, mission, collaborations and due diligence for this kaupapa were honoured and celebrated with due regard.
Though she never spoke a word.
Porirua was out in force today, the Community was standing up and Standing strong. Brandon Intermediate Kapa Haka were magnificent!
This facility will be a game changer! I wish it all the best of the love, light and blessings that Hineraumati can muster!
Launch of Te Whare Tiaki Community Training Hub in Porirua, Wed 10 2025.
International Human Rights Day.
UN Campaign 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence.
'Orange the world', was a theme of the Campaign.
Photos:
Top Left, event organisers and sponsors Caroline Herewini, CEO Te Whare Tiaki Māori Women's Refuge, Porirua, and, Steering Committee, Coalition to End Womens Homelessness, and Maarten Heetderks, Embassy The Kingdom of Netherlands.
Top Right Mike Whaanga, Chair, Te Whare Tiaki Charitable Trust.
Middle Left, Commemorative Plaque for the event; Middle Right, Logo, Coalition to End Womens' Homelessness - I was attending to support the Kaupapa and our rangatira Caroline Herewini in my role as Kaihautū, Coalition to End Womens Homelessness.
Photo Bottom Left: Brandon Intermediate Kapa Haka.
Photo Bottom Right: Mana wahine moment, Myself and Acting Regional District Commander Police, Kapiti Mana, local Porirua grown / iwi wahine Inspector Reneé Perkins.
