Love, Care, and Professionalism
Kia ora, Talofa lava, Ni Sa Bula Vinaka, Namaste, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Malo E Lelei, Taloha ni, Malo Ni, Ia orana, Kia orana koutou katoatoa i te aroa maata i te Atua, and greetings to you all.
It has been some time since I have released an online article, as we have endured probably the most impactful interruptions in our lives. This COVID-19 pandemic came into our lives in what felt like an overnight occurrance, and it continues to relentlessly affect BOTH us and the world around us in more than one way; socially, financially, physically, our mental wellbeing and the ways in which we live our day to day lives,
In my own reflections at Pacific Homecare, I am reminded of our own organisational values of; Love, Care, and Professionalism.
We have worked hard despite the varying conditions, and continue to work hard in our communities with some of our most vulnerable people; elderly, people with disabilities, and vulnerable families. So our values of Love, Care, and Professionalism live with us each day in our changing and challenging times.
Often people ask us what we mean by Love, Care, and Professionalism, and the way we communicate this is – Love is accepting everyone just as they are… “warts and all”. We simply respect each person and each family. Care is that the customer is the most important person or family so look after them well and follow the care or family plan of the customer. The more challenging value is Professionalism which to us simply means “Turn up on time”. Another way of putting that is “Pacific Time is on-time every time”. And, the second element of professionalism is “Do what we said we will do” – in all of our services.
In my reflections over the last 18 months, I can say that our values have been what has carried us through all the challenges we have been presented with. Even when we ourselves are not perfect we have worked diligently hard, where we can, to not only serve our customers but our larger communities of South Auckland. And, it goes without saying, we couldn’t have done this by ourselves. We are thankful to our partners who have supported us significantly through this period.
Pasifika Futures, The Ministry of Health, The Pacific team within the Ministry of Health, Disability Support Services, the District Health Boards, and our fellow Pacific providers. Collectively, you have all been hardworking just like us and sometimes we overlook your onging commitment to keeping us all safe. So, I am thankful, and can I say to you all thank you for your Love, Care, and Professionalism in our communities, as it is much needed.
As I write I am also mindful that we are embracing Cook Islands Language week and the theme for 2021 is: “Ātuitui’ia au ki te Oneone o tōku ‘Ui Tupuna which means, connect me to the soil of my ancestors. Last week we celebrated the Te Maeva Nui Cook Islands Cultural Festival which just simply amazingly great and my congratulations to the organisers and all those who were involved. I think it is important that we take the time to celebrate one another’s culture because that is who we are”.
Meitaki maata e kia manuia,
Hamish Crooks
CEO