Setting young people up to live their best lives

Chair's Report

I am proud to acknowledge the resilience, innovation, and deep commitment our organisation has shown

It is my privilege to present the Chairperson’s Report for the Annual General Meeting of Kootuitui ki Papakura. As we reflect on the past year, I am proud to acknowledge the resilience, innovation, and deep commitment our organisation has shown in continuing to uplift the lives of tamariki, whānau, and the wider Papakura community.

Kootuitui ki Papakura continued to deliver its unique wraparound model across four interconnected strands: Education, Health, Whānau Support, and Financial Wellbeing. These strands are woven together to address the complex challenges faced by our community, and their integration remains central to our mission.

Through strengthened partnerships, the introduction of innovative programmes, and a focus on measurable outcomes, we reached more individuals and families than ever before. We placed a strong emphasis on listening to community voices, incorporating feedback to refine our approach and ensure our work remains relevant and empowering. By investing in our team and fostering collaboration with other organisations, we have built a solid foundation for sustainable impact and are well-positioned to continue making a positive difference in the lives of our community.

Our Strands

Our education team has continued to deliver targeted professional development and in-class support for teachers. Over the past ten years, we have distributed more than 4,000 Chromebooks to our tamariki, ensuring equitable access to digital tools and learning environments. This sustained effort has helped bridge the digital divide and provided students with the resources they need to fully participate in modern learning.

While the MET pedagogy remains a foundational framework across our partner schools, we have observed varying levels of engagement and implementation. Some principals have indicated a desire for more tailored support that aligns with their school’s unique pedagogical approaches and priorities. We are taking this feedback seriously and using it to inform our future planning, with the goal of ensuring that our educational support remains both relevant and impactful for each school community.

This year, we have proactively engaged with all principals within the cluster to review and refine our support model. Our focus has been on maintaining the relevance of our services and exploring innovative ways to strengthen our relationships with both schools and whānau. We are committed to evolving our approach to better meet the needs of our communities, and to fostering deeper connections that support student learning and family engagement.

Our health services remain a cornerstone of our work in Papakura. We continue to fund Registered Nurses in schools. These roles are vital in addressing health inequities, providing timely care, and supporting the overall wellbeing of tamariki. The presence of health professionals in schools ensures that students have direct access to health advice, early intervention, and ongoing support for both physical and mental health needs.

Looking ahead, we see several opportunities to further strengthen our impact in this area. Building stronger partnerships with local health providers, mental health services, and social agencies will help create a more integrated and holistic support network for students and their whānau. We also aim to develop and deliver more preventative health education programmes focused on nutrition, mental health, and healthy lifestyles, as well as enhance engagement with whānau through regular clinics, information sessions, and culturally responsive outreach.

In 2024, we proudly launched our Financial Wellbeing strand, incorporating the long-standing Christian Care budgeting service. This expansion has allowed us to offer financial education workshops, personalised coaching, and goal-setting support to whānau across Papakura. These services are helping families build resilience and long-term financial stability.

Our warm, dry homes initiative has also been scaled up, with plans to insulate homes and educate whānau on maintaining healthy living environments. This work is critical in reducing preventable illnesses and improving overall wellbeing.

Both initiatives are designed to enhance the wellbeing of families by strengthening financial capability and promoting safe, healthy living environments, we are supporting individuals and households to thrive, reduce preventable challenges, and build a stronger foundation for the future.

Our Future

Kootuitui continues to be recognised not only as a service provider but as a community connector. Our relationships with schools, local organisations, and whānau are built on trust, shared values, and a commitment to equity. We are grateful for the ongoing support from our partners, funders, and volunteers who
make this work possible.

We have plans to further extend our work in this area by deepening our engagement with the community and broadening our network of partnerships. This includes
exploring new collaborations with local organisations, iwi, and service providers, as well as creating more opportunities for whānau to participate in programme design and delivery. We aim to strengthen our volunteer base, enhance communication channels, and develop joint initiatives that respond to emerging needs. By continuing to foster strong, trust-based relationships and working collectively, we are committed
to building a more connected, resilient, and equitable a community.

As we look to the future, our commitment remains steadfast: to deepen our impact, strengthen collaboration, and adapt to the evolving needs of our community. We are actively exploring new opportunities to enhance educational leadership, improve continuity across schools, and broaden our reach in health and financial wellbeing. These efforts are guided by our vision to create meaningful, lasting change for all those we serve.

On behalf of the Board, I want to express our heartfelt appreciation to our CEO, Abi Bond, and the entire Kootuitui team for their tireless dedication. Your passion and hard work continue to transform lives and inspire hope throughout our community.

We also extend our sincere gratitude to our funders, partners, and supporters. Your ongoing commitment and generosity are the foundation of our work, enabling us to
deliver vital services and create positive, lasting outcomes for whānau across our community.

Together, we look forward to building on this year’s achievements and continuing our journey towards a brighter a more equitable future.

Ngā mihi nui,
Dr, Abdul Nishar (CMInstD) JP
Chairperson
Kootuitui ki Papakura