People Projects

Aotearoa is an immigrant nation – from the first peoples to colonial settlement, we have crossed the oceans to call this place home. Immigrant Journeys reveals the rich diversity that our most recent immigrants bring to Aotearoa New Zealand. With a broad range of different skills, cultural backgrounds, and experiences they strengthen and add immense value this country. Immigrant Journeys is an original idea of the Lady Khadija Charitable Trust whose creation has been made possible by the efforts of Telling Lives and Janneth Gil Photography. The project has been funded by the Ministry of Ethnic Communities and Rāta Foundation.

There’s been talk over recent days about the need for greater access to PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) for midwives working in the community, and rightly so. A midwife's bubble can easily extend into dozens of homes where women are no doubt anxious already about pregnancy and birth during a time of pandemic. As the frontline support for mothers and babies during an extraordinary time of both risk and reward, midwives are guardians of a new generation and deserve every protection we can provide. Often overlooked, these hardworking dedicated women can easily go unnoticed until something goes wrong; like now. Professionals with three or more years of obstetrics and nursing training, midwives are an assurance and protection for a healthy young New Zealand. Earlier this year, I was lucky enough to spend a fews days following different midwives as they went about their daily work here in Canterbury - so forgive me if I wax lyrical. When you hear a first time mum’s uncertainty around her pregnancy and listen to her reach out for reassurance over what is normal and what’s not, you understand why midwives matter. When you see a mum with her newborn discussing changes in her baby’s weight or behaviour, her concerns over sleep or feeding; you know why midwives matter. When a woman grasps her partner's hand during labour while a strong confident voice tells her to push, rallying, supporting, reassuring; then you know why a midwife matters. When you see a newborn placed in their exhausted mother’s arms for the first time and recognise that child’s vulnerability and need; you know why a midwife matters. They talk about the first thousand days defining a child's life and clearly that starts with midwives and mums. The short video above captures a working day for Bex, a midwife in North Canterbury. It was filmed as part of a recent campaign calling for improvements to current employment terms and conditions for midwives as seen below.

Shonaleigh Cumbers is a storyteller. Not just any storyteller. She’s a Drut’syla. She’s a living tradition holder. It’s a tradition that flourished in Jewish families, but that was wiped out during the holocaust. Almost wiped out. As far as we know, Shonaleigh is the last Drut’syla.

It's great fun to work on an election campaign and it was a privilege to be involved with Raf Manji's bid. We don't often get independent candidates elected to parliament in New Zealand and yet the benefits could be immense; particularly under MMP. Imagine being able to work with any person or party based on policy rather than political allegiance. There was so much more to Raf's campaign but it was his potential to act independently that resonated for me.

Values and brand are intimately connected and the depth and meaning of your brand needs to be reflected in your message. For example the Christchurch City Mission doesn't only provide vital support for the homeless or emergency food parcels or detox services for those with addiction issues - the mission changes lives, by providing new pathways and hope for the future.