Accelerating Aotearoa

Thursday vibes at Ōtara 🌸🎶 Our wonderful team of the Putiputi we Ōtara were sharing their musical talents with Judy as they shine bright. Nothing beats watching our team come together over a cuppa and a song.

Hopefully seeing more of their amazing talents soon 💛

🎙️ **Finding Your Voice: Lance on Podcasting, Education & Confidence**

What happens when young people are given the space to speak, ask questions, listen, and simply be themselves?

In this episode of **We Are Ōtara**, Vinnie sits down with Lance, a teacher aide and podcasting course mentor at Māngere-Ōtāhuhu High School, to talk about education, confidence, storytelling and the power of finding your own voice.

Lance shares stories from growing up in Avondale, his experiences at school, his many different jobs and the unexpected adventures that shaped his life.

But the heart of the conversation is the young people he works with through the school's wānanga programme and podcasting course — and how podcasting is helping students become more confident speaking with adults, asking questions, listening to others and sharing their own stories.

From interviewing classmates and teachers to taking on the challenge of interviewing their principal, the students are learning that their voices matter.

🎧 **A conversation about education, confidence, belonging, storytelling, and being comfortable being yourself.**

And Lance's mantra?

**“Be curious, not judgmental.”**

Watch/listen to the full episode and hear Lance's incredible stories — including some VERY unexpected adventures from his younger days! 😂

https://youtu.be/AJHlO6TwIPI

Lance | We Are Ōtara Podcast | Eps 86 🎙️ **Finding Your Voice: Lance on Education, Podcasting, Confidence...

Big thank you to Frontline Pacific for this story about Accelerating Aotearoa and the mahi happening here in Ōtara. 💜
From offering a safe place, to helping with food, jobs and everyday support, to running health programmes and connecting people with the right services — there’s a lot that happens behind that purple door on Lovegrove Crescent.
Really honoured to have the story of our team's walk with our community told here. ❤️🌺

In South Auckland, a neighbourhood hub offers a first stop when life gets hard

AUCKLAND, New Zealand | 22 September 2026: In Ōtara, a predominantly Māori and Pacific neighbourhood in South Auckland, a small building on Lovegrove Crescent offers an unusually simple way into New Zealand's network of health and social services.

The building is easy to miss. It sits back from the road, with cars parked out front and large coloured letters beneath the windows spelling WE O TARA. Behind a purple door is the community centre run by Accelerating Auckland Accelerating Aotearoa, a charity that has worked in South Auckland since the 2000s.

People come in with different needs. Some need food. Others are looking for work, struggling with household finances, seeking health information or simply trying to work out which agency can help.

Accelerating Aotearoa was registered as a charity in 2008. Its work spans education, employment support, digital learning and community wellbeing, as well as helping residents connect with health and social services.

The location carries its own history. Ōtara grew rapidly during Auckland's postwar expansion, becoming home to generations of Māori moving to the city and to migrants arriving from across the Pacific. Samoan, Tongan, Cook Islands and Niuean communities all have a strong presence in South Auckland.

Today the area remains one of the country's most visible centres of Māori and Pacific life, expressed through its churches, markets, schools, music, sport, language and family networks. It also sits some distance, geographically and socially, from the Auckland usually presented to the world: the waterfront, the central-city towers and the affluent suburbs around the Waitematā Harbour.

Healthpoint, New Zealand's health and social services directory, lists food assistance, budgeting and debt support, employment help, counselling, advocacy and education among the free services available at the centre.

A health programme running this month shows how the centre works in practice. Manage Better Together is a four-session course covering stress, sleep, nutrition, physical activity, medication and personal goals. Participants build their own action plans and receive a certificate on completion.

Holding health education in a community space can make the conversation less formal, and that matters because health rarely arrives on its own. Someone learning about diet or medication may also be dealing with rent, work, transport or the cost of feeding a household. A person looking for a job may need help with a CV, but also food while they search. Someone behind on bills may struggle to cover the bus fare or the doctor's fee. Many families end up dealing with several agencies at once.

We o Tara does not replace those agencies, and a small charity cannot fix housing affordability, low incomes or access to medical treatment. Its role is closer to the ground. Staff listen, offer whatever help the centre can provide, and point people to specialist services when they need more.

Organisations like this form a largely unseen part of New Zealand's social infrastructure. The country has a publicly funded health system and an established welfare state, but having access to a service on paper does not always make it easy to navigate. Community centres, churches, marae and local charities are often where people first ask where to go.

The work rarely draws international attention. It happens in conversations across a desk, in community courses, in food parcels, referrals and help with the next practical step.

The building on Lovegrove Crescent reflects that modest scale. There is no imposing entrance, and it looks nothing like a government office or a major aid organisation. It is simply a neighbourhood building, with colourful letters outside and a purple door.



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Afternoon beats with Jah and

**Have you been injured and unable to work? Do you know what ACC may actually pay you?**

🎙️ **A new episode of the We Are Ōtara Podcast**

🎥 **Watch the full episode:** https://youtu.be/WeCpMBdFer4

Getting your injury covered by ACC does not automatically mean you will receive weekly compensation.

In Part 2 of our ACC series, Eden from Community Law South Auckland joins us on the **We Are Ōtara Podcast** to explain how ACC weekly compensation works in New Zealand.

In this episode, we look at:

💰 Who can qualify for weekly compensation

⚖️ The requirements you need to meet

🩹 What ACC means by "incapacity"

👷 How your employment situation can affect your entitlement

📅 What happens if you were on unpaid leave when you were injured

👶 Rules for young people and potential earners

💵 How ACC calculates weekly compensation

📊 The 80% earnings limit

🧠 How mental injury and sensitive claims can be treated differently

💰 Interest that may be owed when ACC payments are delayed

❗ What you can do if your compensation is declined, stopped or delayed

ACC can be difficult to understand, especially when you are already dealing with an injury and the stress of being unable to work.

That is why these conversations are important.

📚 This is **Part 2 of our ACC series**, following our previous episode about ACC cover.

If you know someone dealing with an ACC claim, please share this episode with them. It could help them understand their rights and know what questions to ask.

🎙️ **The We Are Ōtara Podcast** brings you conversations with people, organisations and community leaders working to make a difference in Ōtara and South Auckland.

Follow the podcast for more stories, conversations and useful information from our community.

⚖️ Community Law South Auckland provides free legal information and advice to our community.

*This video provides general legal information only. It is not legal advice. For advice about your individual situation, please contact Community Law South Auckland or another qualified legal professional.*

Eden Manga on ACC Weekly Compensation NZ **ACC Weekly Compensation NZ: How Much Can You Get & Who Qualifies?...

🌊 **Geek Camp Season 2 – Day 6** 🚣

Thank you for your patience as we share the final day of **Geek Camp Season 2**!

What an incredible way to finish the season. Our rangatahi enjoyed another fantastic day out on the water before heading back to enjoy games, teamwork, and plenty of laughs with the wonderful team from **Fergs Kayaks**.

Every day of Geek Camp has been filled with new experiences, stronger friendships, and memories that will last a lifetime. We're so proud of everyone who took part and grateful to everyone who helped make this season possible.

As we close out Season 2, we're already excited for everything that **Geek Camp Season 3** has in store!

🎥 Watch the full Day 6 highlights here:
https://youtu.be/Ld3SkH1l5Tc

What's been your favourite Geek Camp moment this season? Let us know in the comments!

www.youtube.com

❤️🏆 Congratulations, David Liti! 🏆❤️

Sending all our love and biggest congratulations to our very own next-door neighbour and South Auckland weightlifting champion, David Liti!

What an incredible achievement! Your dedication, strength and determination continue to make our community proud. To see someone from our own backyard reach such incredible heights on the world stage is something truly special.

From South Auckland to the world — we are so proud of you, David! 🇳🇿💪🏽❤️

Congratulations once again, and thank you for representing our community and Aotearoa with such strength and heart.

Ka mau te wehi, David! 👏🏽🏆🇳🇿

Strive for Gold-CONGRATS DAVID LITI! ❤️🏆 Congratulations, David Liti! 🏆❤️Sending all our love and bigg...

🌊 WELCOME BACK TO GEEK CAMP SEASON 2 - DAY 5! 🎮✨

Our tamariki continued their amazing Geek Camp journey with another unforgettable day full of adventure, learning, and connection!

Today, our kids took to the water with the incredible team from Fergs Kayaks, exploring the beautiful waters of Aotearoa while learning new kayaking skills, building confidence, and creating amazing memories together. 🚣‍♂️🌊

After a well-earned rest, it was time to head back out to the park for more games, teamwork, and plenty of laughter!

The day finished with an amazing Filipino feast 🇵🇭❤️ where our kids enjoyed delicious food, great conversations, and another special evening together as part of the Geek Camp whānau.

Geek Camp is about creating opportunities for young people to explore, learn, connect, and experience new adventures in a safe and supportive environment.

Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion of Geek Camp Season 2! 🚀

🎥 Watch Geek Camp S2 Day 5 here:
https://youtu.be/d0NDCSqGfAQ

Accelerating Aotearoa Geek Camp S2 Day 5 WELCOME BACK TO GEEK CAMP SEASON 2 - DAY 5! 🌊🎮✨The adventure cont...

🌟 WELCOME BACK TO DAY 4 OF GEEK CAMP SEASON 2! 🌟

Another fantastic day at Geek Camp Season 2! 🎮✨

Our amazing campers continue to bring incredible energy every single day, making new friends, taking part in exciting activities, and creating memories that will last a lifetime. Watching our tamariki grow in confidence, connect with one another, and simply enjoy being kids is what Geek Camp is all about.

Today was especially meaningful as our wonderful nanas shared their beautiful talents with our campers through traditional waiata and dance. 🌺🎶 Their performances brought smiles to everyone's faces while giving our young people the opportunity to experience and celebrate the richness of our culture.

Adding to the excitement, everyone enjoyed a delicious butter chicken lunch, lovingly prepared by our amazing friend Kary. 🍛❤️ Sharing a meal together gave our campers the chance to relax, laugh, and recharge before another afternoon packed with fun and adventure.

Geek Camp is about so much more than school holiday activities. It's about creating a safe and welcoming environment where young people can build confidence, make lifelong friendships, celebrate culture, and create memories they'll treasure for years to come.

A huge thank you to our volunteers, whānau, supporters, and community members who continue to make Geek Camp Season 2 such a special experience.

🚀 The adventure isn't over yet! Tune in tomorrow for Day 5 of Geek Camp Season 2!

🎥 Watch all the highlights from Day 4 here:

https://youtu.be/-v8Njg4sPLY

Accelerating Aotearoa Geek Camp S2 Day 4 🌟 WELCOME BACK TO DAY 4 OF GEEK CAMP SEASON 2! 🌟Another fantastic...