Another award for Teresea Olsen

By Frank Neill

Teresea Olsen QSM was presented the Wh nau Ora Matariki – Community Service Award at the Ng Tohu Matariki o te Tau 2023 annual awards on 12 July.

The awards were presented at a ceremony at the T kina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Teresea gained the award for her “extraordinary contribution to enhance the cultural, social, economic and environmental prosperity in their community”.

Of Ng ti Porou descent, Teresea was also named the 2022 Wellingtonian of the Year.

She is general manager of health and social services at K kiri Marae.

Her community service has included leadership and support of foodbank initiatives as well as health, well-being and social services.

Under her leadership K kiri Marae was a New Zealand leader in vaccinating vulnerable communities against Covid-19.

When protesters threatened to occupy the Wainuiomata Marae, opposing the Covid-19 vaccine, Teresea stood her ground. Along with other members of the community standing alongside her they were successful in keeping the protesters from occupying the Marae. Another major award was presented to her last year. She received the Public Health Champion Award by the Public Health Association of New Zealand.

The award was presented for the work of Ms Olsen and the staff at K kiri Marae Health and Social Services.

It was presented in recognition of the primary and public health services delivered to the K kiri Marae wh nau and community and for leading working during the Covid-19 epidemic to protect and promote the health and wellbeing of wh nau, hapu and iwi.