Meleane & Semi’s Journey

CLIENT STORY | HEALTHY LIFE

The Fono's Kahu Taurima service walks alongside Pacific families during pregnancy and early parenthood, offering wraparound support that goes beyond healthcare to address housing, employment, and connection to community.

Last year, Kahu Taurima welcomed Meleane and her partner, Semi into the programme. Referred by Linda from Niu Life Midwives, they were newly arrived in Aotearoa, expecting their third child, and navigating complex challenges with limited support.

Meleane held Permanent Residency and Semi was awaiting New Zealand Citizenship. Their two young children, aged one and two, remained in Samoa while Meleane was pregnant with their third.

When the team, including Registered Nurse Sharon Sinia-Anae, first engaged with them, Meleane had just been discharged from a two-week hospital stay where she was treated for kidney complications, pyelonephritis, and sepsis. She needed to complete a course of antibiotics through to 36 weeks gestation, under the care of her midwife. The couple were both on Jobseeker benefits and not enrolled with a GP.

They were sharing a home in Manurewa with Meleane's brother and his wife. The house was almost completely unfurnished. No beds, no couch, only a few kitchen items. They were surviving with the bare minimum. WINZ had approved funding for just one bed and a dining table with chairs.

The practical needs were clear and immediate. They needed a queen bed, a single bed, a couch, and basic kitchen essentials like a microwave, toaster, and dish rack. Language was another barrier - while both spoke some English, Semi often translated during visits.

A team in their corner

The Kahu Taurima team got to work. Through ongoing phone check-ins and home visits, they monitored Meleane's health and wellbeing. They advocated for essential furniture and coordinated clothing donations from wider networks and community connections. The midwifery and nursing team ensured Meleane's treatment and antenatal care were understood and followed through.

Basic furniture turned their place into a real home. The clothing donations meant they had essentials for winter. Regular check-ins offered reassurance during a fragile time.

But for this couple, Kahu Taurima wasn't just about beds or antibiotics. It was about having someone in their corner while they found their feet in a new country. Someone who understood the challenges of being far from home, far from their children, navigating unfamiliar systems, and dealing with serious health complications while trying to build a stable life.

The programme provided what they needed at every level. Healthcare support through a complicated pregnancy. Information and education about how things work in Aotearoa. Connections to community resources. Language support when needed. And perhaps most importantly, people who took the time to understand their whole situation, not just their medical needs.

With the team's help, Meleane felt safer in her pregnancy, better connected to health services, and able to focus on preparing for their baby despite the uncertainty of their immigration and financial situation. Semi was empowered to be an advocate and carer for his partner, with guidance and practical support.

As Meleane and Semi prepared to welcome their newest addition, they had more breathing room, more support, and a community they could lean on. Their house became a home and they had a clearer path forward.

If you know a family who could benefit from this kind of support, Kahu Taurima is free for pregnant Pacific women or those with children under 5 in the Waitematā or Counties Manukau districts. To enquire about joining, text 8849 or email kahu.taurima@thefono.org