Cultural Korero with PSS Cultural Advisor Louise Fowler

Maranga mai Murihiku – Shout Out Southland

A call for whanau action in the Prevention of Suicide

On 17 September a number of Family Works and Central Office staff “songbirds” took part in the 2017 Te Whare Tu, Te Whare Ora project where a number of kaiwaiata (singers) in roopu/kapa (groups) performed at the Invercargill Workingmen’s Club to support the call for action in the prevention of suicide.

The kapa performance is a suicide prevention strategy led by Nga Kete Patauranga Pounamu Trust and centres on building and connecting whanau in our area via the medium of kapa. This has become a yearly event as community work together to support whanau who are supporting members vulnerable to suicide.

Family Works has entered into an Accord with other roopu to support this kaupapa.

It was a rather scary experience standing in front of peers who are well versed in their reo and tikanga but our roopu did us proud.

Again, thank you everyone who participated, a great way to practice “whanangatanga” – well done!

We acknowledge the support from Rusty Johnson, SIT tutor, who has encouraged and supported our roopu and Rochelle Smith who led the way.

He tino mihi kia korua, kia koutou katoa.

Meri Kirihimete kia koutou!