Honouring Lee

At our hui today, we take a moment to honour the life of Lee, one of our tangata whaiora who was staying at Manaaki Atu and who passed away suddenly overnight. Our aroha and thoughts are with his whānau and with the Manaaki Atu team — Tahere, Taylor, Kiri, Lucy, Taniwharau, Faamanu, George and Norman. Your deep care and compassion for those in your whare is seen and felt by all of us, and the way you awhi people like Lee is part of the wairua that makes this Mission what it is. Lee knew he was loved, and that is the enduring taonga you gave him.

We also acknowledge that many of us across the Mission may carry our own experiences of mental distress, suicide, or grief. This news may stir up memories or pain that is close to the surface. Please know that support is available, and that we hold space for one another — now, and in the days ahead. There is no rush. It takes time to process such loss, and each of us will do that in our own way. Should you need to talk to someone, please reach out.

Let us move gently with each other and with ourselves. Let us continue to mahi with the aroha, dignity, and hope that Lee — and so many others — deserve.