Everything is an opportunity, says new Te Pou Taki
Carl Baker took over the role of Te Pou Taki (Māori cultural adviser) at Te Piki Oranga earlier this year and has spent the past four months undertaking a cultural assessment of Te Piki Oranga’s activities.
The Pou Taki position was advertised after Sonny Alesana moved to a new role as Kōtuitui Hapori (Community Connector). When Carl saw the position advertised, he jumped at the chance to relocate to Te Tauihu to take up the role and be closer to his whānau based in Whakatū.
In this role, Carl aims to support both kaimahi (employees) and whānau. He says the purpose of the cultural assessment he’s been undertaking is to ‘make sure our activities align with what we say we’re doing’. He is looking for ways to enhance how kaupapa Māori informs Te Piki Oranga’s strategic direction and to ensure tikanga Māori (Māori custom) is implemented accurately across the organisation, starting with the leadership team.
Following this, he has his sights set on a development plan for management and kaimahi. Then he will take a ‘deep dive’ with individuals, to support them to improve their cultural development.
‘I see everything as an opportunity,’ Carl explains. ‘I’m looking at how we can progress staff along the continuum of learning and interventions we can put in place to help that shift. For example, I’m aiming to increase staff members’ overall cultural capability which will ensure Te Piki Oranga continues to transform as a kaupapa Māori health and wellness organisation.’
His previous experience, as Pou Tairangahau (cultural manager) at the Department of Conservation in Hawkes Bay, has equipped him with transferrable skills that have given him a great head start in this role as Te Pou Taki.
