New service director “overwhelmed” by powhiri at Onetahua Marae
Last Monday's powhiri for Rhoda McDonald, service director of Golden Bay’s Integrated Family Health project. Photo: Neil Wilson.
Participants in a powhiri at Onetahua Marae gather to show their support for Rhoda McDonald.
Rhoda (fourth from the right in the front row) is the newly-arrived service director of Golden Bay’s Integrated Family Health project.
The powhiri was an official welome to the community for Ms McDonald and her husband Graeme.
Manawhenua ki Mohua representatives and members of the Onetahua Marae whanau were the welcoming group. The large group that was welcomed on to the marae included representatives of the Golden Bay Community Board, the Interim Management Group, the Golden Bay Community Medical Centre Trust, the Golden Bay Community Workers, Heartlands, Nelson Bays PHO, the Nelson/Marlborough DHB and medical staff from a wide range of disciplines.
In brief speeches of introduction and welcome some people spoke of the experience, skills and personal qualities Ms McDonald brings to the new position. Others pledged their support for her in the challenges that will lie ahead.
Ms McDonald said she was “overwhelmed” by the welcome, both to Onetahua and to Golden Bay as a whole.
“I’ve never been welcomed anywhere before like this. I’m aware of your high expectations and I’m looking forward to getting to know lots of you as we begin to work closely together.”
Neil Wilson
