Maria Pasene, who was the coordinator for the Covid-19 response for Pacific communities in Christchurch, stands with former New Zealand Director-General of Health Sir Ashley Bloomfield and her daughter Oriana Pasene. Photo: Caleb Fotheringham
Christchurch Pacific leaders who helped during the Covid-19 response were celebrated at Te Aratai College last week.
Three organisations and three individuals were given awards by the Pacific Youth Leadership and Transformation organisation for their service.
"At the end of the day only you know your own community best." -Pacific health manager Maria Pasene
Riki Welsh, who received one of the individual awards, was the director of Māori, Pacific and rainbow student's services at the University of Canterbury, during the pandemic.
Welsh said he got an unexpected call at 10pm, after the first lockdown was announced, saying he was needed as welfare manager.
"I was like, is that what I signed up for many years ago," he said.
"So I became the welfare manager in charge of 15,000 students, 2000 staff, and my job was pretty much make sure we get through the pandemic."
Welsh said he feels humbled and initially turned down the award because the response was a group effort.
"I suspect most people here did but at the end of the day you accept the award because you accept it on behalf of all of the people who supported you."
Waitaha Primary Health were one of the organisations to be recognised. Photo: Josiah Tualamali'i
Another individual recipient, Maria Pasene, was the Pacific health manager for Pegasus Health and the coordinator for the Covid-19 response for Pacific communities in Christchurch.
Similar to Welsh, Pasene said the work she did was a collective effort.
"Pacific people, we don't go on our own," she said.
"It's always a privilege to serve with my colleagues and community."
Pasene said the pandemic brought out the best in the community.
It was important Pacific faces were at the front of the response and people were able to see themselves in the workforce, she said.
"We were able to really showcase our values of alofa, which is love, tautua, which is service."
She said values of respect, community and family were also displayed.
Former New Zealand Director-General of Health, Sir Ashley Bloomfield, who headed the pandemic response, gave a speech commending Pacific peoples.
He said despite Pasifika often being the most effected by outbreaks they were incredibly responsive.
"They had the highest testing rates of any group, they had very high vaccination rates, they're incredibly good at listening and doing what was asked of them and getting messages out," Bloomfield said.
"I've only really a lot of good things to say about just how caring they were not just for each other but the way they looked after all New Zealanders. "
Riki Welsh was the welfare manager for the University of Canterbury during the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: Caleb Fotheringham
Looking ahead for the future health workforce, Pasene said there needs to more investment in diversity, not just for Pasifika but also for Māori and rainbow communities.
"At the end of the day only you know your own community best, people trust when they see themselves in the workforce."
Pasene said more diversity, means more people engaging in health services.
Chris Mene was another individual award recipient, the organisations given the awards were Etu Pasifika Canterbury, Tangata Atumotu Trust and Waitaha Primary Health.