Living without Violence Waiheke, one of the island’s most valued and utilised social services, has a brand new name – Te Ārai Roa Manaaki. The name means “the long sheltering welcome” and is based on the original Māori name for Waiheke, Te Motu Arai Roa or “the long sheltering island”.
The rebrand has been in the works for some time, and last year, the late Ngāti Pāoa elder George Kahi gifted the name to the organisation.
Te Ārai Roa Manaaki board chairperson, Gabrielle Young, says the journey towards changing the name has been lengthy but important.
“I have been on our board now for two and a half years and in that time, we have been discussing our desire to rebrand our organisation to a name that we think better reflects who we are and is more inclusive of all those who choose to make their homes here and who may wish to access the services we provide,” she told those gathered at the launch event last Thursday.
“We commenced our process formally around our renaming almost a year ago when matua George was still with us, and, as a board member, he was a passionate advocate for changing our name to reflect the specialness of what we provide.”
Living Without Violence Waiheke is part of a nationwide network of Living Without Violence NGOs and has been serving the island community for more than 24 years. Over time, the organisation has expanded its offerings, hence the need for a name that truly encompasses the breadth of services available.
The need within the community has also evolved and Police Sergeant Raymond Matthews says the number of reports in relation to family harm on the island typically increase year on year. Sgt Matthews says island police have close relations with the Te Ārai Roa Manaaki team.
“When we enter a report concerning family harm they have access to that almost immediately. Family harm is not always violent and so I think the new name works really well.
“Many family harm incidents are psychological or financial, and sometimes it would be difficult to explain to people how a service called Living Without Violence would help or support them when they didn’t view themselves as violent.”
Gabrielle says the organisation provides easily accessible services and workshops for various needs within the community.
“We don’t want to only be the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff, but we want to provide services that assist those we work with including individuals and the family and whanau they are part of to be empowered to live well and make positive changes in their lives that will positively impact their family and whanau both now and in the future.”
Gabrielle says it’s also important to recognise that harm of any kind affects everyone in the family system, both now and intergenerationally.
“In our community that can show up in many ways – anxious and acting out children and youth, difficulties with relationships, blighted lives as well as direct incidences of interpersonal violence.
“This is why we want all who are impacted in any way to feel free to access the services we deliver in concert with our partners and that though they may not be in what they think is ‘a violent relationship’ now – they have a service they can access which will assist.”
Sophie Boladeras, Gulf News 22 July 2021 Page 13
