OUR SERVICE PERFORMANCE
133
People or tangata whaikaha receiving residential care services supported by Whaikaha and Te Whatu Ora
49
People or tangata whaikaha receiving residential and transitional rehabilitation care supported by ACC
648
Hours of Supported Independent Living support to people in the community
1045
Nights of Respite Care supporting people and their whānau in Wellington and Canterbury
12%
Proportion of residential clients or tangata whaikaha identifying as Māori
95%
Occupancy rate for all residential care facilities
11
Young parents supported by the HOPE Project while living in the newly opened Pavitt St Transitional Housing service
3176
Client contacts for young people who received mental health counselling for needs including alcohol and drugs, eating disorders, depression and anxiety
64
Young people received group support including Eating Awareness, brief intervention adventure therapy and Alcohol and Other Drug groups
33
Reintegration Team supported rangatahi clients who have offended in partnership programme with Ara Poutama
24
Rangatahi clients supported in their reintegration journey in the Rangatahi Tumanako prosocial mentoring programme
28
Wāhine and gender diverse rangatahi clients supported through the Adventurous Whānau Adventure Therapy programme
40
Young parents received individual social work supported by Oranga Tamariki
6
Pregnancy and parenting education groups (10 week) delivered supporting young parents and their whānau
80
Young parents engaged with our attachment, parenting, and connection groups
81%
Enrolment rate for tamariki learners at early learning service Little Owls Preschool
22%
Turnover of permanent staff across all services
62%
Strategic Plan 2021-25 - Percentage of Key Initiatives achieved or on track to completion in the financial year.
$297,796
Grant funding support from non-government funders to enhance and extend services.
7
Governance meetings held in the Financial Year
Karakia
Ka tau te mauri a Io
Ka rere te mauri a Io
Me ona hua whakatutaka
Hua kawari, kakama, tapu kaha rawa
Io matua, Io matua kore, Io pukeka, Io korete whiwhia
Io mua, Io waiora, Io matawaI
Tuturu mai kia whakamaua
Kia tina! Tina! Haumi e! Hui e! Taiki e!
Celebrating Resilience and Strength in 2024
This year has presented our organisation with significant challenges, largely due to the evolving political environment and its impact on both the disability and social services sectors. Throughout this period, we have remained unwavering in our commitment to delivering quality services, and supporting the people at the centre of our work.
Despite the difficulties, the people we support have demonstrated remarkable resilience, courage, and a continued drive for positive change. Their ability to thrive in the face of adversity is a testament to the human spirit, and serves as inspiration to us all. Our mission has always been to empower individuals to achieve their goals, and we have seen countless examples of this throughout the year, whether it’s achieving greater independence, advocating for their own rights, or building stronger connections within their communities.
These successes, however, are not achieved in isolation. They are made possible through the dedication of our team, the support of our volunteers, and the collaboration of whānau and community partners. In a year that required us to be agile and responsive, our teams have shown unwavering professionalism, and a shared commitment to upholding our core values.
We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to our Board of Trustees for their steadfast support and guidance during this demanding period. Their strategic oversight and commitment to our vision is invaluable, enabling us to navigate complex challenges and ensure the sustainability and growth of our services.
As an organisation, we have had to make difficult decisions to secure our long-term impact, but the people we support remain our guiding focus. We are proud to have continued delivering high-quality services that make a meaningful difference in their lives.
In this year, we also acknowledge the conclusion of the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care, and the strength and resilience of those impacted by harms of the past. Their stories stand as reminders, guiding our ongoing commitment to the highest standards of practice in the care and protection of vulnerable people.
Looking ahead, we will continue to adapt and evolve, inspired by the individuals we serve and strengthened by our collective efforts. Their stories of perseverance reinforce our belief in the potential for growth and empowerment, even in the most challenging of circumstances.
We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who has stood alongside us during this demanding year. Together, we will continue working to build a more inclusive and supportive future for all.
Ngā mihi mahana,
Sarah Hillier
Chief Executive Officer
Welcome from Board Chair
Our unique healing Mission continues to provide us a values-based model that underpins how we support people, and guides our commitment to stewardship of resources.
The Board of Trustees are proud to present the 2024 annual report of St John of God Hauora Trust. Our dedicated teams continue to respond to challenges in how we are funded, the needs we see in the community, and in the way our people and services respond.
A key highlight of this year, as I have spent time visiting our services, has been seeing the full return of normal everyday life in our residential care services. Seeing our daily activities and volunteer programmes grow, is supportive of our ambition to achieve good and everyday lives for the people living in our care.
I would like to acknowledge the contribution of all our people in this pivotal year. Our team of over 300 people is made up of a diverse spectrum of skills, lived experiences, and perspectives. Each of you bring equal value to how we work together to achieve our shared mission – thank you for your ongoing commitment to our mission.
In this year, we also acknowledge the conclusion of the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care, and its work to understand the failures of the past. Its findings and recommendations will stand as an enduring reminder of our active and ongoing responsibility in the care and protection of those most vulnerable in our communities.
I would like to acknowledge our ongoing collaboration with, and the valued support we receive from, our parent-organisation St John of God Health Care. The Board and leadership of St John of God Health Care have been an instrumental voice in supporting our values-led approach to the Royal Commission, and in our ability to understand our profile and role in the community. Through the year, we have seen that support in action through advice and coordination for our ongoing efforts to develop our capacity, our clinical governance capability, our pastoral and Mission development, and in our data governance and cyber security work.
We are also grateful to the support from the philanthropic sector, which has resulted in another year of strong support. Ongoing contribution from philanthropic partners Rātā Foundation, Eliza White Charitable Trust, and the Rangatahi Tumanako Trust, is central to the ability of our youth and community services to provide support to the community. We also acknowledge the support of the Hugo Charitable Trust that supported our Young Parents Development Service with the donation of a van.
Ongoing success in our applications for new services is encouraging. The Ministry of Youth Development Ākonga Youth Development Fund has brought energy and collaboration in how we support secondary schools in their work to increase engagement with rangatahi in their communities. The establishment of our Transitional Housing programme with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is reflective of our strong and well-recognised body of work in walking alongside young parents.
We continue to operate in a difficult funding environment, which puts the FY24 financial result into perspective. The below budget result was largely due to the difficult decision we reached to discontinue the Lucena project. This was the right call, with our commitment to enabling good lives, for current and future residents, foremost in our thinking.
As Chair of this organisation, I am privileged to see the great contribution of your Board. This year, we welcomed Jackie Crampton, who brings significant finance capabilities to our Board, which will support us in advancing our financial stewardship and governance. I extend our appreciation to Nancy Ward, who stepped down early in 2024, for the contribution she made to the Board and to the organisation.
The 2024-25 financial year reflects the fifth and final year of our current Strategic Plan under the guidance of Sarah Hillier’s leadership of our Mission. I look forward to seeing the development of our next five-year plan that will continue to underpin our direction in supporting people and communities.
Ngā mihi,
Peter Jensen
Board Chair
Our Healing Mission
Our Mission is to continue the healing mission of Jesus, supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. Our five core values of Manaakitanga, Aroha, Whakaute, Tika and Hiranga continue to shape our workforce and the way we collaborate to support the people we work alongside every day.
Embracing Tikanga Māori
Haere atu ra e Te Kiingi Tuheitia, haere ki a Hawaiki-nui, ki a Hawaiki-roa, ki a Hawaiki-pamamao ki Te Rerenga Wairua. Haere ki to maunga tapa a Taupiri, haere ki tou awa o Waikato "he piko he taniwha, he piko he taniwha", me te taha o to matua tipuna. Ko koe: Te Kiingi o Te Kotahitanga o Aotearoa, Te Kiingi o Te Kohanga Reo.
Te Kiingi Tuheitia ensured Māori were heard at all levels of our society, and that ngā Rangatahi the Youth of the nation were included in all Iwi decisions. Te Kiingi called a national hui of Unity of all Tribal Iwi in the name of Kotahitanga - Unity. Calling on Māori Leaders to respond to the national policies of the Sixth National Government towards Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Te Koroneihana or the 18th Anniversary for Te Kiingi Tuheitia was held at Tūrangawaewae Marae - again with Te Kiingi Tuheitia calling for Māori to be united. His message of unity is a legacy that will remain with us as Māori, and in our engagement with Te Tiriti and the Crown. The sad news of the passing of Kiingi Tuheitia has given rise to the announcement of Te Kuini hou a Te Arikinui Nga Wai Hono i te Po Pōtatau Te Wherowhero.
It is equally important to acknowledge the passing of Michael Banks, a Survivor of abuse. Whilst it may not have carried the same media coverage, it certainly was still a sad ocassion for his whānau and the Survivor community. We have been privileged to engage or mihi with some of the survivor community, and it has been humbling to hear them share their stories. We continue to support the work of the Royal Commission and its work to understand the past and how it can guide us to keep ensuring we have the highest standards of safeguarding for tamariki and rangatahi.
The past 12 months have been a most fulfilling period, slowly developing and implementing Tikanaga Māori practices. Working with Sarah Hillier CEO has seen us working together in partnership, as described under the articles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. This has been a positive step towards other exciting kaupapa to grow, "a te puawai” flourish and implement.
I am grateful to our Board of Trustees, who have actively engaged with training in this year on Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The kaupapa of developing Te Putea Matautanga Māori is ongoing and their leadership supports how we keep improving our cultural development.
I have been collaborating with our Mission Integration team and Pastoral Practitioners to weave Tikanga Māori and our Catholic Mission alongside each other in karakia, waiata and prayer. Through this practice, and in our celebrations of Matariki and Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, I hope that we are able to inspire our people. Once beautiful example of this kaupapa was a Pohutakawa cross-stitch made by one of our people, and their deep understanding that its significance helped people to acknowledge those who had passed.
In arriving at St John of God Hauora Trust, I was appreciative of the clear kaupapa and kawa they held in Mihi Whakatau and Tikanga, and how they "whakamana" their tikanga further in their kaupapa kōrero of our shared Values and Taonga. In the last year we have supported the organisation to increase its capability to host Mihi Whakatau and through out weekly karakia.
I have also been grateful to the enthusiasm with which many kaimahi have had for learning about Te Ao Māori and developing their pepeha. We are continuing to integrate this tautoko and Mihi Whakatau into our staff induction and orientation practices to truly welcome people to our kaupapa.
Hosting events such as during Matariki are providing more chances to engage our people and to develop their understanding of Te Ao Māori. Providing a hangi helped our people to better understand "nga whetu" (the names of all the Stars and what they represent), and the Māori kai that we provide to represent and remember them during Matariki.
In the year ahead we will implement a cultural audit, that will help us to understand our Tikanga and development across all our services, and to develop a roadmap for our future. In 2025 we will have a number of opportunities to extend our cultural practice, in how we represent our services to community, how we can provide career pathways for Māori and for rangatahi, and in projects like how we evaluate the future of the Halswell Chapel and its meaning to community.
Manaakitanga, Kaitiakitanga, Whanaungatanga, Mohiotanga and Wairuatanga are just a few important kupu Māori that describe how we do tikanga Māori well and will enhance our Values, Vision and Mission of St John of God Hauora Trust. There is a saying that "what is good for Māori is good for all".
Beliefs in the Trinity God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is teachings that has been handed down generation after generation within the Catholic and many other religions. We should not be afraid of believing in Jesus Christ. Whilst I am not a Catholic myself another teaching that was passed onto me from one of my Kaumatua, who was a Catholic, said many religions leave out our Holy Mother, hence we always end our karakia with Te Matua, Whaea, Tama me Te Wairua Tapu, The Father, Mother, Son and the Holy Spirit.
I continue to remain a mokai for St. John of God Hauora Trust for all our kaimahi and tangata whaiora. I ahu mai au i whia - what are my origins:
Te whakapapa ki te taha toku Matua
Ko Kurahaupo te waka
Ko Whatonga te tangata
Ko Tararua te maunga
Ko Punahau te roto
Ko Hokio te awa
Ko Kohuturoa te marae
Ko Pariri Te Tupuna whare
Ko Te Aroha te whare kai
Ko Punahau, Ngārue, Ngā Te Ao, Ngāti Tamarangi. Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Whanokirangi, Ngāti Pariri o nga Hapū
Ko Muaūpoko te iwi
Whakahono, kia tu kaha Muaūpoko
Ko Kurahaupo te waka ano
Ko Kawiu te marae
Ko Te Huia o Raukura te whare wairua
Ko Rangimarie raua ko Takeretanga ngā whare kai.
Ko Muaūpoko te iwi
Whakahono, kia tu kaha Muaūpoko
Tae noa ki te maunga Ruapehu
Ko Turoa te Tupuna
Ko Whanganui te awa
Ko Maungārongo te marae
Ko Tikaraina Ringapoto/Ko Te Kiingi o Te Maugārongo
Te Tipuna whare
Ko Hopa Te Karu Tukapua Turoa toku Matua
Te whakapapa kite taha toku Whaea
Tararua o Te-Matau-a-Māui-Tikitiki-a-Taranga,
Ka titiro whakararo ki te raparapatanga o aku kamo, ko Wairarapa!
Ko Ruamahanga te awa
Ko Wairarapa, te-karu-o- te-ika te roto
Ko Takitimu te waka tapu
Ko Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Wairarapa te iwi
Ko Ngāti Hamua te hapu
Ko Te Ore Ore te marae
Ko Nga Tau e Waru te wharenui
Ko Potangaroa te tangata
Ko Henare Haeata Nga Kuku toku tipuna koroua ka moe ia Takere Toi Renata ka puta mai a
Poihipi Haeata toku koroua, ka moe ia
Whirihita Matiaha Te Arohatai ka puta mai a
Rangimoehau Haeata nga Kuku toku Whaea, ka moe ia
Hopa Te Karu Tukapua Turoa ka puta mai a
Henare Te Karu, ka moe ia Miriama Kahukura Paku
Ko te amorangi ki mua, ko hapai ki muri, te tuturutanga mahi pono o te Māori mana motuhaki. He mango pare o te waka tapu o Takitimu
Tihei Mauri Ora,
Henare Te Karu
Kaumatua - Māori Cultural Advisor
Walking our healing Mission in 2024
Saint John of God devoted part of his life to alleviating human suffering, to comforting and soothing the afflicted, sick, and dying. He faced many challenges in life, yet he emerged with passion and commitment to serving those in need. He was compelled by charity and driven by Mission. A Mission that began a ‘Movement of Compassion’ for the care of vulnerable people.
John and his followers envisioned a new way of being present to people. He acknowledged the great injustice of those experiencing disadvantage. John founded his monastery in the streets of the city, and in the units of the hospitals – meeting the community in their need. He went beyond the practices of the day to improve the health and wellbeing of all in his care. Our Caregivers today share the same vision; always striving to create new ways to be present to people, and to reach them in their time of need.
Our Health and Ability Services have continued to evolve in their support for people living with complex needs. New senior leaders in the service are continuing to improve how we coordinate and deliver care, and how we advocate for the resources needed to best enable a good life. I am particularly heartened by the continued focus on understanding each resident’s individual needs, as we continue to prioritise holistic and person-centred care.
Our Child, Youth and Community Services have also continued to grow and adapt to the needs of the most vulnerable in our communities. Whether providing services like social work support, counselling, or housing coordination, each person’s work is a direct expression of our healing Mission. Our early childhood education service, Little Owls preschool, underwent a review led by my predecessor Sinéad Gilgunn. Sinéad led the review with strong vision and empathy for the tamariki and whānau we support. The review resulted in a clear view of the operations of Little Owls, and its strong ability to deliver on unmet need in the community.
Sinéad’s legacy also includes the implementation of our leading and valued Pastoral Care Model of Practice. Our Pastoral Practitioners continued their compassionate pastoral support for residents in this year, along with dedicated support for whānau and our people. This year pastoral practitioners focused their practice on engagement. They strongly advocated for resident's care – facilitating and supporting residents' meetings and engaging residents and their families in feedback surveys. The provision of Pastoral Support is a vital expression of care, concern, and accompaniment. Pastoral Support provides a space that recognises the needs of individuals, and through collaboration with a multidisciplinary team accompanies them on a path to healing.
Our Volunteers continued to make a vital contribution to the lives of the people we support. This year we acknowledged our volunteers during a celebration in June. All of our volunteers selflessly give their time to make life better for the residents they encounter. They live the spirit of St John of God, in doing good for themselves by doing good for others.
This year also saw the conclusion of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care and the release of the final report and recommendations: Whanaketia – Through pain and trauma, from darkness to light. We continue to express our support for the important work of the Royal Commission, and its work to understand history and to support survivors. We have implemented a Brand Research Project in the year to help understand our role and profile in the community, and to support our people in their understanding. I would like to again express deep gratitude to Sinéad Gilgunn for her work in leading a series of hui with our people, to understand their thoughts and concerns about the Commission, our response, and how the survivor community was being supported and engaged.
Our people have once again shown remarkable resilience in the face of ongoing challenges. Despite external pressures — particularly in funding — we have remained committed to providing the highest standards of care for those we serve. The courage and adaptability of our teams, reflect the essence of our Mission: to serve with compassion and excellence.
I offer my heartfelt thanks to all our staff, volunteers, and partners for your dedication and support this year. Together, we continue to strive to serve our communities, and offer care that provides healing, hope, and a greater sense of dignity, especially to those most in need.
Ngā mihi,
Jason McTague
General Manager Mission Integration
