Four Stories of Impact
Story One: From grief and addiction to recovery
Story Two: Locking down but not shutting down during COVID-19
Story Three: A journey of self-discovery and community connection
The Kaumātua Tuakana-Teina Project is a peer education project by kaumātua for kaumātua. It’s all about empowering kaumātua to use their knowledge, values, and agency to identify and address social and well-being issues. It aimed to support kaumātua in leading fulfilling lives, addressing health concerns, and fostering a sense of community to improve hauora.
Tuakana-teina/senior-junior is traditionally understood as relationships between older and younger siblings or cousins of the same gender. For the project, tuakana and teina were both kaumātua, with one guiding the other, which created meaningful relationships that improved the wellbeing and resilience of both people.
Tuakana and teina involved in the project signed up to take part and received guidance and support from community researchers who checked in with tuakana-teina pairs regularly.
More information
Find out more about the project:
Kaumātua Tuakana-Teina Project information
Read journals written by the team:
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2021.775545/full
https://bmcgeriatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12877-020-01590-z
A painful experience with addiction was one of the lessons learnt through the Kaumātua Tuakana-Teina Project. For one kuia, her experience with gambling addiction was identified and addressed as part of the project.
For the kuia experiencing gambling addiction, lying, shame, and a cycle of losses compounded the isolation she felt. It also meant that she didn’t reach out for help. Though she’d never gambled before —nor drank alcohol — she was borrowing money from her mokopuna to cover the bills. She also found herself telling little lies that built up over time to cover up her gambling problem.
Through building up trust with her, the tuakana was able to draw this out, and the gambling problems were picked up by the community researcher. “This is a kuia who I would never, never ever have thought was going through gambling issues. She was so distraught and so ashamed, everything that goes with an addiction,” the community researcher said.
The kuia was connected with resources and joined a counselling group run by the Problem Gambling Foundation. It was through peeling back layers and building trust and respect that her grief with the loss of her husband became apparent. Feeling ashamed of past actions is a normal part of the process of going from addiction to being in recovery. Although her feelings of shame associated with her addiction didn’t disappear, she’s no longer gambling. With the Tuakana-teina programme and the support from the community research, the kuia could recognise the problem before it spiralled further, “I would not have even thought about getting help had it not been identified,” she said.
The COVID-19 pandemic affected everyone, and the Kaumātua Tuakana-Teina Project wasn’t immune to the events. COVID-19 was new for everyone, and the massive and sudden changes it brought to people’s lives were acutely felt by kaumātua, community researchers, and the project team.
During COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions, many kaumātua were nervous about leaving their homes. Those taking part in the Tuakana-Teina Project couldn’t meet in person with their teina or tuakana, and many were nervous about losing established relationships. In response, the community researchers created messenger pages during lockdowns. This meant that kaumātua could maintain their relationships and receive advice, such as where to get tested or vaccinated, while safely isolating.
Although COVID-19 restrictions prevented meaningful conversations between tuakana and teina, it didn’t disrupt the project, and the messenger chats still continue today. During COVID-19 restrictions, the conversations focused more on health information; they’ve developed into more overall support and questions from kaumātua.
Community researchers also launched a ‘vulnerable whānau’ calling list which listed over 200 people in their area. These people needed kai, hygiene box deliveries, and daily visits (at a distance) to see if they needed extra support like prescriptions.
Although the Kaumātua Tuakana-Teina Project couldn’t continue in its initial form during COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions, the resources in place allowed vulnerable kaumātua to get the resources and support they needed during an already stressful time.
One kuia participating in the Kaumātua Tuakana-Teina, peer education project, found herself on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. The journey of self-discovery started when the kuia realised that she’d reached a point in her life where
health concerns were becoming a challenge. She was lost in understanding the available resources.
When she found out about the project, she got involved. “What this place offers, in terms of assistance in health, I was amazed because I didn’t really know what the raruraru [trouble] was all about,” she said. The program provided more than just a health resource – it was a platform for connection and shared experiences. Through whanaungatanga, she realised that talking with others was a powerful tool for learning and personal growth. “That’s what I got out of it – I learnt to talk. The more you talk with others, you learn more and what you can get out of it, and I had got something out of it.”
As she engaged with others involved in the project, she discovered a service that could provide the help she needed, which empowered her to take control of her well-being. “I can go to a service that I could get help from. I could come here and join in the things, but at the moment, I’m enjoying life and doing what I do. If I need anything, I can always come down here and join in and keep myself busy.”
The essence of whanaungatanga, understanding, and connectedness, became evident in her journey and experience with the programme. She found not only the information and assistance she needed but also a supportive community eager to help her thrive. Her newfound knowledge and sense of community became a driving force in her life, enabling her to embrace each day with a renewed outlook on life.
The program had become a source of inspiration, providing a space where individuals could receive guidance, support, and everyday conversation. “I think they should continue with this programme. I think it’s marvellous.” For this kuia and others, the Kaumātua Tuakana-Teina Project addressed health concerns and became a catalyst for personal growth, community building, and celebrating life at every stage.
For some people, the Kaumātua Tuakana-Teina Project gave a sense of hope for navigating the challenges of ageing and strained family relationships. One kaumātua found solace and transformation through the program and its emphasis on korero and whanaungatanga.
The kaumātua had been dealing with strained family relationships, particularly with his incarcerated son. The roots of this conflict extended deep into generational trauma, causing a rift that impacted him mentally, spiritually, and financially. He felt a heavy burden, experiencing regrets of his past actions and longing for more aroha with his whānau.
Entering the project, he discovered a safe space where his voice was heard and valued: “I felt valued because you’ve been listened to, which is quite nice.” The project encouraged storytelling, which became a vital tool for self-reflection and understanding. He found a platform to share his experiences and inner struggles and discovered the healing power of being truly listened to.
Through heartfelt conversations with his tuakana, he explored different subjects, discussing the actions of his past and desires for change. “A lot of times, I let myself down. I wasn’t — or I’d wished — I'd done things a lot differently,” he said. The Kaumātua Tuakana-Teina Project became a space for him to confront his past and lingering guilt and acknowledge the need for change in his approach to relationships – especially with his own whānau.
As he unravelled his past and contemplated his role as a parent, he acknowledged the program as a healing process. “I’d say it’s been a healing process for me because I’m able to relate it to someone, and I know if you talk about things that hurt you, or have hurt you, you feel a bit lighter.” The burden and emotional strain began to ease as he opened up, shared his pain, and received valuable help to guide him toward healing.
The Kaumātua Tuakana-Teina Project provided the kaumātua with a platform for self-expression and equipped him with the tools to navigate and mend the strained relationship with his son. It became a big part of healing, forgiveness, and the transformation of his whānau dynamics. His journey showcased the huge potential of the program in fostering communication, understanding, and reconciliation within whānau facing generational challenges.