A little bit about me::
Ko wai au
Ko Tawhitinui te Maunga
Ko Raukokore te Awa
Ko Mataatua te Waka
No Ngapuhi me Ngati Awa me Te Whanau
Apanui ahau
Ko Pararaki te Hapu
Ko Pararaki te Marae
Ko Marie Dutton Toku Ingoa
Kia ora, my name is Marie Dutton, and I am a mama to three young adults and a nanny to three mokopuna.
I work for Te Tohu o Te Ora o Ngati Awa as Te Pou Mareikura a Maui, which is Service Delivery Manager for the Community Services Teams, including CAYAD Co-ordinator.
My experience spans over 25 years in the Government sector working with Te Ara Poutama, Kainga Ora, and Ministry of Social Development. Over this time, I have gained valuable knowledge and appreciation of our people and their whanau.
Six years ago, I was ready to make changes. I had to deal with past trauma before I could move forward. I changed jobs and started a journey to learn who I was as an individual. This included learning about my whakapapa. The entire journey has been exhilarating and there are times where I sit back and reflect on how I have come thus far.
The difference between working with Te Tohu o Te Ora o Ngati Awa for eight months and 16 years in a westernized institution is significant. I had spent years struggling with the method that was prescribed by a system designed to deprive someone of their mana. I was able to work honestly and proudly since I was employed with Te Tohu o Te Ora o Ngati Awa where Maoridom was the chosen norm. The ability to integrate westernized models into the Maori environment is encouraged, even though parts of the mana and integrity of the Maori are still retained.
Finding a career that aligns with one's cultural values and self-evident convictions can take a lifetime for some people. By means of my own struggles and developing an introspective mindset, I have been able to strive for a fulfilling profession. This gives me the ability to engage with people who genuinely want to change their lives, and by doing so, I hope to make them feel heard and valued on their journey.