Race Relations
Mercy Ministries NZ Trust
Mercy Ministries NZ Trust ensures that the mission and values of the Sisters of Mercy in New Zealand, Samoa and Tonga are given expression by the Congregation’s healthcare, education and community development ministries.
The offices of Mercy Ministries NZ Trust in Ponsonby include the Pou Atawhai Centre for Mission.
Visit the website of Sisters of Mercy.
Projects 2011
Year of the Forest series
Te Ngakau Waiora Mercy Spirituality Centre in Auckland is holding a series of five winter talks during June-August, aimed at highlighting this UN-sponsored focus on the interdependence of forests and the human community. Topics will range from the sacredness of forests and their place in the scriptures, to current debates on decking with kwila or cooking with palm oil. A Māori perspective will explore the realm of Tane Mahuta and Hine Wao. For details check out www.mercycentreauckland.org.nz.
Mātāriki celebrations
Carmel College in Milford will hold a lunch-time celebration to begin Mātāriki, led by the school’s three Tuakana leaders. The leaders and a kapa haka team are keen to introduce their items for the whole school to learn, for inclusion in liturgical celebrations and school assemblies.
At St Mary’s College, Ponsonby, the kapa haka group performed at the formal blessing of a new block opened at the school in March, when Māori and Tongan students led the karanga; more events are planned for Mātāriki, Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, Mercy Day and Fiafia Night; students in the group include Pakeha, Samoan, Tongan and Māori. Two other dance groups will perform their ethnic dances as well at the two events.
Staff at Mercy Hospice Auckland Te Korowai Atawhai plan to meet informally during the weeks of Mātāriki for kai and korero. Led by Waka Atawhai, a group of Māori staff, the weekly lunchtime sessions are a chance for others to hone their skills in te reo Māori, waiata, korero and flax-weaving. A marae overnight noho is being planned to allow staff time for whakawhanaungatanga.
In Hamilton, Atawhai Mercy Assisi Home & Hospital will hold a Mātāriki pot-luck meal, inviting staff to bring a dish that reflects their culture. Diversional therapists will create a Mātāriki time for residents.
Race Relations Day 2011
An event to mark this day was led by the social worker from Te Ukaipo, a Mercy community development agency based in Waitakere, aimed at providing women with the chance to come together in ways that acknowledge and celebrate the cultural diversity of their neighbourhood and community. Current clients hail from Somalia, Samoa, Fiji, India, Iraq, Iran and Aotearoa; the day offered a Māori-Mercy kaupapa that was spiritually inclusive and culturally safe. Nearly 30 participants wearing their cultural dress were welcomed with a powhiri by the local kaumatua and neighbouring kohanga reo. Representatives of each culture presented a dance or song; a variety of food prepared by participants was another highlight. The women are involved in gardening, composting and water-harvesting workshops. Budgeting and financial advice is ongoing, to assist migrants with the current economic pressures in their communities.
Tikaka Best Practice Guidelines
Mercy Hospital Dunedin is focusing this year on developing Tikaka Best Practice Guidelines. A consultation with the hospital’s mandated representative has created a set of guidelines which Ngai Tahu has been asked to approve. Orientation sessions, led by the hospital’s iwi representative and its mission coordinator, have been provided for 100 staff; two further sessions are planned to enable the rest of staff to participate.
Wananga for Mercy social workers
This one-day event on July 27 is for social workers from Mercy organisations working with diverse groups of people in educational, community and healthcare settings. With participants including Māori and Pakeha, Indian, Samoan and Tongan, organisers hope that cross-cultural sharing will strengthen and enhance their practice.
Cultural study days
Mercy Hospice Auckland has two Cultural Study Day planned for staff this year, aimed at providing health professionals with insights into death and dying among different cultures, including Chinese, Māori, Muslim and Pacific Island. Staff at the hospice will also have the chance to participate in Treaty workshops run by Pou Atawhai, highlighting the commitment of the Sisters of Mercy to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Pou Atawhai Centre contact: Dennis Horton DHorton@somauck.org.nz