June Salelea remembers the chilly reception the family received when they arrived in New Zealand from the Samoan village of Satapuala in 1995. It’s because they arrived in Christchurch during winter where her husband Sasolomua had secured a job as a polisher.
“Christchurch was so cold,” June recalls.
“We tried to make it work, but it was hard because there was no family support.”
After trying to make it work, the Salelea family left Christchurch for Auckland after a few months where they stayed with family.
Sasolomoua managed to find part-time work picking and packing tomatoes at a glasshouse in Drury, South Auckland while June raised the children.
When June was looking to join the workforce she realised the need to upskill, enrolling in a six-month course in elderly healthcare.
With a qualification behind her she began applying for positions and was contacted by Pacific Homecare, who employed her in July 2012, only a few weeks after graduating. By the end of 2015, June was celebrating her Level 3 graduation.
She enjoys the work – which includes dressing and showering – and the range of clients she deals with.
“There’s a real mixture, including Samoan, palagi and Chinese,” she says.
“I like dealing with people from different cultures. You learn new things. I also enjoy the company of the staff at Pacific Homecare when I catch up with them. I’ve got a heap of friends here at the office.”
Being named Pacific Homecare Employee of the Month cemented her love of the job even more.
“When I saw the photos of Employee of the Months on the wall downstairs, I never thought I’d be chosen,” she says with a warm smile.
“So to win it is very special. This is the job for me.”
