At WISE, every team member plays a vital role in making Taranaki homes healthier, warmer, and safer. To celebrate the people behind our mission, we’re launching a new series: “What Working at WISE Means to Me.”
This time, we’re spotlighting Toatepi, our HHI Pasifika Liaison and Assessor. She works closely with families across the region, carrying out home assessments that support warmer, safer, and healthier living spaces. Through her role, she helps ensure our services are accessible, culturally respectful, and responsive to the needs of our Pasifika communities.
We asked Toatepi a few questions about her work, what inspires her, and what being part of WISE means to her.
1- How long have you been working at WISE?
I ‘ve been working at WISE now for a year, so far, it’s been the most eye opening, heartwarming and fulfilling experience.
2-What drew you to working closely with Pasifika communities in Taranaki?
There are so many opportunities out there for our Pasifika communities that they are not aware of, a part of my role is getting our Kaupapa out to the people who will benefit from our programme or pointing them in the direction of other services that can help.
3-Can you share a story of a family you helped that really sticks in your mind?
We assisted a whanau whose children had been unwell and out of school for a while, we installed our thermal curtains and fixed the draughts in the windows. We also got the two young kids who were sleeping on mattresses a bed each and warm blankets along with some Pjs that we had collected from our PJ drive. We gave them some energy efficient heaters and gave education on proper ventilation and how to heat their home efficiently. We checked back after 3 months and the children had not been unwell again, they were excelling in school, and the parents could return to work.
This inspires me so much because the home plays a big part in our health, the whanau were much healthier and happier. Small changes can make the biggest differences.
4-What’s your favourite part about conducting home assessments?
I love meeting new families and learning more about their history, I can draw on my own experiences to be able to relate to our clients.
5-What’s a common misconception people have about keeping their homes safe, warm, and healthy?
A lot of people don’t realise how healthy it is to ventilate the home; they are quite often surprised when we talk about having that daily air exchange in the whare. This helps to reduce the moisture in the air that we breathe and in turn, helps to reduce mould growth around the home 😊
6-If you could give every household in Taranaki one quick tip, what would it be?
Open your windows and doors for 15 mins every morning and every night, open your curtains during the day to get free heat from the sun and close your curtains in the evenings to retain the heat overnight.
7-When you’re not helping whānau, how do you like to relax or have fun in Taranaki?
If I’m not at work, you will find me down at the rugby fields, 3 of my kids play both codes. No rest for me ha!
