Care and Culture Grow Together

Across our organisation, the threads of care are being woven stronger every day through shared learning and connection.

Almost all PSUSI staff have now completed Te Rauemi Atawhai, our cultural learning programme that deepens understanding of te ao Māori, te reo, and tikanga.

It brings our values of manaakitanga (kindness), whanaungatanga (connection), and aroha (compassion) to life in the way we work and support others.

Each new team member begins their journey with a pōwhiri (welcome) at a local marae, learning waiata, practising their pepeha, and exploring what Te Tiriti o Waitangi means for their role. Once accredited, they receive a pounamu pendant as a symbol of commitment to this shared path. 

Walking with cultural wisdom

“This journey has changed how I see my work,” says Jess, a Family Works social worker. “It’s not just about knowing the right words or customs. It’s about slowing down, listening, and making sure people feel seen and respected.”

A key part of this journey is Cultural Supervision, guided by Huata Noa and Māori leaders across PSUSI. These sessions invite staff to reflect on their practice through a cultural lens, exploring whakapapa (family line), biases, and connections to people and place.

Grounded in Te Whare Tapa Whā (the four cornerstones of wellbeing), this process helps restore balance across wairua (spirit), tinana (body), hinengaro (mind), and whānau (family), strengthening both kaimahi (staff) and those we support.

This sense of connection also lives on through our Poua Group, where older men gather to share kai and continue the tradition of eeling, or mahinga kai. More than food gathering, it connects people to whakapapa, the natural world, and the wisdom of generations. Some men live with cognitive decline, yet in this space of shared laughter and stories, they find belonging and purpose. Younger people join too, learning not just how to eel, but why it matters.

“When we help people hold on to what matters most, we are not just supporting wellbeing, we are strengthening wairua,” says Huata. “Care is about people, place, and belonging.”