June 2022

Kia ora

Mai i te Kōpae ki te Urupa, tātou ako tonu ai. From the cradle to the grave we are forever learning.

I wanted to begin with this inspiring Māori quote with reference to some of the technology challenges we all face. The technology space is changing so quickly and keeping up can be daunting. With this in mind, our free Digital Literacy courses have started again and I encourage everyone to sign up – no matter if you’re a beginner or more advanced learner. The courses will be held in the village community houses and, for tenants who do not have such a meeting space, we’ll provide return minivan transport to the nearest village hosting the sessions. You can register your interest by calling the Helpdesk on 0800 430 101.

Digital inclusion is one of the Government’s priority areas in the ‘Better Later Life – He Oranga Kaumātua 2019 to 2034’ strategy and its Action Plan ‘He Mahere Hohenga 2021-2024’, and we’re delighted to be able to make this learning available to our tenants.  

June has been a month of celebration in Aotearoa New Zealand, with Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday and Platinum Jubilee commemorations and the Matariki festivities. These public holidays offer everyone a welcome opportunity to meet up with friends and whānau over the long weekends. Since we’ve entered the ‘Orange’ traffic light setting, our tenant outings have recommenced, and I know through feedback from tenants who’ve participated in these that everyone’s delighted to be out and about again. Look out for details of when trips are departing from your village and think about signing up. Likewise, if you live in a village with a community hall, please do use this communal area as much as possible to connect with your fellow villagers.

We’re now halfway through the year and the winter season is upon us. I’d like to remind everyone about the importance of getting the flu vaccine and any COVID-19 shots that you might still need. These will provide the best possible protection from the various winter ailments that are circulating.

When next you call the Helpdesk, you’ll hear a new voice on the line, as Grace who’s been answering your calls for the last year is going overseas. We wish her well in all her new adventures.

Until next time, take care and stay safe.

Gillian Schweizer,

GM Operations

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New Haumaru Homes on the way

Haumaru staff and Board members recently joined representatives of Kāinga Ora to celebrate the completion of our new 41 unit village in Glen Eden. The impressive, six-level Wilson Road complex was built by Kāinga Ora, with support from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, and the homes were designed by the Ministry of Architecture and Interiors to meet the specific needs of older people.

Close to the local shops and the train station and with parking for mobility scooters, the purpose-built development will support people’s sense of connectedness and community engagement. Haumaru Housing will undertake the management of the tenancies and the building, and all tenants will qualify for the Income Related Rent Subsidy.

Speaking at the event, Haumaru Board member Stephen Titter said the new building will provide much-needed affordable rental housing for vulnerable older people and will enable us to offer warm, dry, comfortable homes to yet more seniors in need of a permanent abode. GM Operations, Gillian Schweizer, said: ‘Our staff are particularly excited, because every day we’re fielding calls from older people who are in urgent need of safe, secure and long-term tenancies. And, of course, everyone on our waiting list is also eagerly waiting to hear when they can move in.’

The new development will bring the total number of villages in Auckland managed by Haumaru to 63.

The new Wilson Road development in Glen Eden.

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Village connection days

Cultural ‘Harvest’ and ‘Hometown’ dances were performed at the Acacia Court event

In association with Independent Living Charitable Trust and the Manurewa, Otara-Papatoetoe and Howick Local Boards, three village connection days recently took place for tenants of Leabank Court, Acacia Court and our Howick and Pakuranga villages. Held in the village community houses and at Te Tuhi Arts Centre in Pakuranga, the events offered a great opportunity for everyone to reconnect and socialise with one another as well as appreciate the lovely lunch that was provided by Independent Living.

With Local Board members also in attendance, tenants were treated to a range of musical items, as well as dance, cultural and Tai Chi performances by local schoolchildren and volunteers from the Chinese community.

Leabank tenants joined their Tai Chi instructors to demonstrate the skills they’ve learned at their Friday sessions in the Leabank community house.

Everyone greatly enjoyed the occasion and the chance to meet up, join in with the entertainment and chat with acquaintances both old and new. Our sincere thanks to Zhengxiu Xie of Independent Living Charitable Trust, the Local Boards and all our friends in the community for their help in putting on these wonderful village connection days for our tenants.

Tenants from Pakuranga and Howick enjoyed singing along to some ‘old time’ favourites.

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COVID-19 update

The Government has announced that a second COVID-19 booster will be made available for the older population and those at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 – a minimum of six months after people receive their first booster. Full details will be published soon, so keep an eye on the Ministry of Health and ‘Unite against COVID-19’ websites.

If you’re up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccinations, you can now download an updated My Vaccine Pass. While My Vaccine Pass is not legally required, people are encouraged to have their pass for when it might be needed, such as where a business voluntarily requests it as a condition of entry. The new Pass will have an expiry date of six months from the date of issue.

As respiratory infections are on the rise during the cooler months, if you’re due for a COVID-19 booster or flu jab, please get it now before we reach the winter peak. We know that vaccinations save lives and, by making sure you’ve had all yours, you’ll go into winter with as much protection as possible.

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Abuse and bullying are not OK

The annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was held again on 15 June, providing an important opportunity to highlight the role we can all play in stopping elder abuse. Roughly one in ten people will experience some form of elder abuse, and it can be difficult to identify as there’s no single 'type'. Some forms are more subtle than others and are often ‘hidden in plain sight’. It can be psychological, as well as physical, and people often experience more than one type of abuse.

The key thing to know is that support is available. If you have any concerns about yourself, a loved one, a friend or neighbour, call 0800 32 668 65 (a free 24-hour confidential helpline which anyone can call) for help and advice. You can also text 5032 or email support@elderabuse.nz, or call Age Concern on 0800 65 2 105 or the Haumaru Helpdesk. If you’re in immediate danger, call 111 and ask for the police.  

For more information, visit the Office for Seniors website: officeforseniors.govt.nz/our-work/raising-awareness-of-elder-abuse/.

On a similar theme, the Haumaru team held a ‘Pink’ morning tea in the office on 20 May to mark ‘Pink Shirt Day’. This international awareness initiative is about working together to stop bullying and abuse by celebrating diversity and promoting kindness and inclusiveness. Staff members created sweet and savoury dishes in the colour pink (using beetroot) and also dressed in pink and decorated the office. Pink Shirt Day is led by the Mental Health Foundation which aims to reduce bullying in communities around New Zealand.

Need a hand?

Contact us on 0800 430 101