For the final day of Dame Cindy and Dr Davies regional visit to Te Tai Tokerau, they received a very warm welcome with a pōhiri at Te Ahu Centre, which included iwi representatives, and Far North Mayor Moko Tepania. Students from Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rangi Āniwaniwa gave a wonderful waiata tautoko in support. After the pōhiri, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies planted a pōhutukawa to commemorate the visit to Te Tai Tokerau.
Next they visited the dedicated volunteers who give their time and aroha at a foodbank established by the Far North Community Foodbank Trust in Kaitaia. They are standing next to seven days' worth of supplies for a client. People across the Far North region are referred to the Foodbank, which provides food parcels and essential household items. There is increasing demand for the goods supplied by the Foodbank, which is largely dependent on donations.
The very final stop in Kaitaia was at Rakau Ora, where Dame Cindy and Dr Davies met the good people who are providing free, urgent mental health care for people in Kaitaia. The staff are professionally qualified and are also able to bring their own lived experiences in assisting people who have addiction and mental health issues. A tattoo removal service and needle exchange are available, and a drop in hub allows people to come by at any time.
Read Dame Cindy's speech at Te Ahu here: Powhiri at Te Ahu Cultural Centre.
For more images, click here: Te Tai Tokerau Regional Visit Day 4 Media Gallery.