When did you last need help?

Kiriwaitai | Matapihi

The kaumātua day at Waikari Marae, Matapihi is an important place for social connection for Kiriwaitai (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui). She is raising two of her grandchildren and it’s a big role.

“I’m a grandmother bringing up grandchildren, two of my mokopuna.

Probably yesterday, and it’s funny that because the person that I usually see actually rung because I had missed a couple of appointments. She’s a counsellor, so she helps me. It’s hard, I’m going to admit it. It was hard at the beginning — well it still is hard. I have a counsellor. My mokos have counsellors. I have support from KidsCan and I have my whānau. Especially my whānau. My sisters.”

I used to cry a lot. Just break down and cry. And that’s just recently, actually. And if it wasn’t for my sisters who came down and had a hui, and they said, “We’ve noticed you haven’t been out.” Because we usually catch up with a coffee, like once a month maybe. And they saw that, and they said, “You’re not looking well.” And so I just think I wasn’t really coping with the kids.

They came up with the solution, and it’s that solution that is actually why I’m feeling great at the moment.”

Our question for kaikōrero this month was “when did you last need help?” We learned about the diverse demands on the lives of New Zealanders and the incredible support networks they rely on.