WelCom May 2022
Ms Mena Antonio was welcomed with a pōwhiri last month as the new chief executive – kaiwhakahaere mātua for Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand. Mena is the first Caritas chief executive of Pasifika descent.
The pōwhiri took place at Nikolao Atonio Hall in Cannons Creek, Porirua. The hall is named after Mena’s father who was Head Catechist at Holy Family Parish for many years.
Maru Karatea-Goddard performed a karanga of welcome to Mena and her whānau. Deacon Danny Karatea-Goddard formally welcomed them.
Mike Kawana spoke on behalf of Mena’s whānau followed by a speech in Samoan by Mena’s uncle Manuel Atonio and a speech by Rawiri Morunga.
A formal handover with a karanga welcomed Mena into her new position. As Maru Karatea-Goddard called, Keith Wedlock, Chair of Caritas Board and Amanda Gregan of Caritas, received Mena from her whānau and escorted her to be seated with the Caritas whānau as their new chief executive.
A formal blessing over Mena concluded the pōwhiri process.
Speakers from Mena’s family included her Uncle Manuel Atonio, as well as Charles Kaka of Trust House, Luther Toloa of Wairarapa Pasifika Trust and Bob Francis of Wairarapa Community.
Luther Toloa spoke of Mena’s significant work with the Pasifika Wairarapa Trust to provide multi-disciplined support for the needs of young people to complete their education.
Cardinal John Dew, representing the Catholic Bishop’s Conference, thanked the family for handing over Mena to Caritas to lead the bishops’ agency for social justice.
‘Mena you have a wonderful board and staff to work with and it is magnificent you are welcomed in this hall named after your father and family. Look to what the Church needs to be as we live in dire times and natural disasters. Thank you for the work you have already done on the Caritas Board and for the leadership you will provide. And thank you to Mena’s whānau for handing her over today.’
At the conclusion of the formalities Mena acknowledged her father and mother and the Holy Family Parish of Porirua. ‘I dedicate this moment to them and to my brother and sister,’ she said.
Mena also paid tribute to Julianne Hickey, her predecessor at Caritas. She concluded with a prayer for Ukraine and recognition of Pope Francis’ leadership in peace ‘as we are all called to do’.
Following the formal closure, everyone was invited to share kai.