Vision and values
Many young New Zealanders aspire to a better life for themselves and their family but are limited by their own upbringing and personal circumstances. Creating a family of their own is often a response to their own past experience. It quickly leads to stress and strain rather than the fulfilment and belonging they had hoped for. They find themselves with a family for which they lack the resources, skills and support to look after.
Our goal is to give families the opportunity to transform their family life for good.
Our vision and values guide and direct us in our work:
Whanaungatanga - Connected. We seek to form the kind of relationships that connect us to whānau as whānau.
Te Māia - Courage. We are courageous with families, partners and ourselves.
Manaaki - Respect. We seek equal and fair treatment for all, valuing the uniqueness of each person.
Te Whakahaere - Stewardship. We are committed to investing our resources and time efficiently and effectively.
Faith statement
As a faith-based organisation we follow Jesus Christ. We value honesty and respect that enable true connectedness that comes from journeying together as a family. We practise this way so that life and hope may be known by all and lived in all its fullness.
I runga i te kaupapa whakapono e whai ana tātou i a Ihu Karaiti. Ka whakanui tātou i te pono me te whakaute e taea ai te honohono pono e puta mai ana i te haere tahi hei hapu. E mahi ana mātou i tēnei tikanga kia mōhio ai te katoa ki te ora me te tūmanako, kia noho ai i roto i te katoa.
Our philosophy
Iosis is a Greek word meaning ‘the process by which a base metal becomes gold’. For the families that Iosis works with this represents the transformation they go through as they make changes for the good of their family.
Iosis has developed a unique approach that combines experiential learning programmes, practical support and coaching that leads to lasting change. Family members move through a process of Whakapono, Whakapapa and Whanaketanga (Believing, Belonging and Becoming) that stabilises and strengthens their family life.
Our people
Our board
Andrea Page, Chair
Andrea has been working in the social service sector since 1992. She came onto the Iosis board in 2017 and was made chair in 2021.
Vao Gale, Board Member
Vao is a barrister specialising in family law.
Liz Wilson, Board member
Liz works with the Baptist Churches of New Zealand as their senior accountant.
Justine (Jay) Martin, Board member
Jay works for CAP and Harbour Sport and is continuing her studies in te reo Māori.
Our leadership team
Tunumafono Tracey-Leigh Peters – CEO
Wayne Boyd – Finance Manager
Wendy Barthow – Service Development Manager
Teina Mita – Māori Development Leader
Eileen Tupou – Practice Leader
Vaimatagi Iosefa – SWiS/MASSiS Manager
Daphne – Operations Manager
Pearl Segi – Operations Team Leader
Our staff
Operations/Administration Team - Team members greet visitors, make initial needs assessments, and provide the financial and administrative support to keep the organisation functioning smoothly.
Social Work Team - Community social workers work with client families in the implementation of their goals.
Counselling & MenD - Counsellors help people process beliefs and emotions that can help or hinder their personal journeys. MenD facilitators provide individualised one-on-one programmes for men.
Family Violence Team – The team deals with issues related to family violence, working with perpetrators and victims. We partner with the Police in responding to family violence incidents, seeking to wrap support around whānau to address their immediate needs.
Financial Mentoring – The Financial Mentoring team works with individuals in creating a budget and assisting whānau to be able to manage their finances so they can meet their day-to-day needs.
Foster Care Team - The Foster Care team works with families, Oranga Tamariki and foster carers so children and young people needing temporary short- or long-term care are placed in a safe, nurturing environment.
Iosis Whānau Centre Team (formerly known as Merivale Whānau Development Centre) - This team supports, guides and teaches parents in the centre’s therapeutic residential parenting programme.
Parent Support Team - Parent Support workers provide home-based and individualised parent coaching and support.
Social Workers in Schools Team - School-based family support workers come alongside students and their families.