‘Papa Rau’ honoured as patron of Tauawhi Men’s Centre

Celebrating “independence day” for Tauawhi Men’s Centre are (from left) Tauawhi coordinator Tim Marshall, trustee and patron Ralph Walker, Presbyterian Support East Coast social services general manager Mary Wills and trust chairman Jeremy Muir. Picture by Rebecca Grunwell

Walker becomes patron as charitable trust takes over governance of Tauawhi Men’s Centre this week.

Ralph Walker, aka Papa Rau, has been honoured as the patron of Tauawhi Men’s Centre at an event this week to mark the transition of the centre to local governance under the Tauawhi Charitable Trust.

Tauawhi Men’s Centre has operated under the auspices of Presbyterian Support East Coast (PSEC) since it opened on July 2, 2010 to provide a “one-stop shop” specifically for men.

The Tauawhi building on Peel Street was packed with joy, emotion and many of the people who have been on the “Tauawhi journey”, who gathered to celebrate its independence and to thank the people who have had prominent roles in its establishment and within the men’s centre over the past 13 years.

Mr Walker is a founding member of Tauawhi and a trustee of the Tauawhi Charitable Trust.

The compliments rang for Papa Rau who was described by Tauawhi Men’s Centre coordinator Tim Marshall as a “collector and connector of people”.

Various speakers praised Mr Walker for his dedication to Tauawhi and the cause of contributing to positive change for men and their whānau.

Gisborne area police commander Inspector Sam Aberahama was one who spoke of his many trips with Papa Rau, a real talker, and of getting text messages from him in the early hours of the morning.

In turn a surprised Papa Rau had arranged a taonga to mark the occasion for the centre, presenting a Baye Riddell toa sculpture to Tauawhi Men’s Centre.

The event on Monday was hosted by Mr Marshall who discussed the initial formation of Tairāwhiti Men Against Violence in response to tragedies in 2006, the backing from then PSEC Family Works manager Leslynne Jackson that enabled Tauawhi to establish at the Peel Street building it still operates out of, and early days with highly respected counsellor Tangi Hepi “driving the bus” of Tauawhi.

He also thanked Tauawhi Charitable Trust chairman Jeremy Muir for his work and the support of The Gisborne Herald, where Mr Muir is editor, over the years.

PSEC social services general manager Mary Wills said it had been a great journey with Mr Marshall and many other staff members at Tauawhi Men’s Centre.

She was looking forward to their future and knew their great services would continue.

“I wish you all the best.”

Mr Muir and Mr Marshall both thanked PSEC for its great support and generosity in making the governance transition a smooth one.

Wiremu Witana spoke as one of the first men to go through Tauawhi, who was back some years later after his continuing behaviours meant he “lost everything”. He then committed to change and turned his life around. He had a daughter living with him again, and had just completed four years working as a kaimahi for Safe Men Safe Family.

Mr Witana said it was important to talk, show emotion and love, and to be vulnerable.

He was thanked for his mahi by Safe Men Safe Family founder Vic Tamati and lead facilitator Phil Paikea, who had both flown in for the occasion.

The event was followed by morning tea.