Upskilling to meet the moment: Supporting Waikato whānau through change

At a recent LifeKeepers training in Kirikiriroa, Jess Ngahere, Team Lead for Mental Health and Addiction at K’aute Pasifika, brought along her entire team – an intentional move that reflects her commitment to continuous growth and culturally grounded care.

Speaking about the realities facing whānau across the Waikato, Jess highlighted the increasing complexity of need in the region. “We’re seeing the impacts of rising living costs, housing challenges, and intergenerational trauma all at once,” she explained. “Our whānau aren’t just dealing with one issue – these challenges are layered, and they require a more holistic, compassionate response.”

For Jess, investing in her kaimahi through training is essential to meeting these evolving needs. She emphasised that opportunities like LifeKeepers are not just about building knowledge, but about strengthening how her team shows up for the community. “It’s about making sure our people feel confident to have the hard conversations, and that they do so in a way that is culturally safe and grounded in integrity,” she said. “If we want better outcomes for our whānau, we need to keep growing ourselves.”

That commitment is shaping how K’aute Pasifika responds on the ground. Jess shared that her team is now more proactive and community-focused, working closely with taiohi, their whānau, and alongside other services to provide wraparound support. “The needs of our people are changing, so we have to adapt too,” she said. “By staying connected to our purpose and continuing to invest in our kaimahi, we can walk alongside our whānau in a way that truly supports their wellbeing.”

Learn more about Le Va’s LifeKeepers suicide prevention training here: www.lifekeepers.nz