VOYCE opens in Wellington

Mana Williams-Eade was the master of ceremonies at the official launch ceremony of the VOYCE-Whakarongo Mai office in Wellington on Wednesday 23 October.

Mana started by expressing his sheer delight at having VOYCE finally in Wellington. Mana has been involved with VOYCE since its inception and is currently one of three young adults with care experience who all serve on VOYCE’s board.

Te Taku Parai, Kaumatua, Ngāti Toa Rangatira commended the organisation’s sterling kaupapa and offered the tribe’s full support to VOYCE in helping children with care experience thrive, blossom and grow.

Tracie Shipton acknowledged the bravery of all tamariki and rangatahi atawhai in care saying, “Care experienced people are at the centre of this organisation. We are driven by their cry for change, motivated by their call for action and empowered by their collective wisdom.” Tracie added, “This organisation belongs to young people and we are their agents of change.”

Kirsten Smith heads up VOYCE in Wellington as Regional Manager. She is highly respected by her peers and brings an invaluable depth of experience from an illustrious career in the youth work space. Kirsten commented that being situated in the Dominion Building alongside Maori Women’s Development Inc (MWDI) felt like a beautiful grounding place for the VOYCE in Wellington.

Tyson Nemukula performed his song “Save Me.” Tyson moved to NZ from South Africa when he was 15 years old. Now 22, he’s studying towards his Bachelor of Commercial Music at Massey University in Wellington. This year he released his 5 track EP ‘Dreams of an underdog’. He also put in an impressive application that saw him selected to represent VOYCE at next month’s CREATE conference – Voices In Action in Melbourne. Below is a short snippet of Tyson’s soulful performance.

Linda Clay of MWDI warmly welcomed VOYCE into the office space and spoke about the synergy she saw with both organisations – being that of representing and helping to bring forward the voices of a vastly underrepresented section of society.

Promise Three: Learning

Education as a gateway to dreams, rangatahi are supported to achieve aspirations.

Promise One: Care

Every tamaiti receives nurturing, protection, and provision, as any good parent would offer.

Promise Five: Voice

Tamariki and rangatahi are involved in decisions that affect them, and their voices are honoured.

Promise Four: Wellbeing

Timely, accessible, and culturally conscious health and mental health services are available to all taiohi.

Promise Two: Stability

Young people in care experience consistency, safety, and a sense of belonging.

Whānau care is where a child is being raised by someone in their whānau or extended family. Often it means a child living with their grandparents – but could also be another family member like an aunt, uncle or older sibling. Whāngai is the traditional Māori practice of whānau care.