We lost one of our Village family in December. Healthcare Assistant Waimana Pere (Wai) died shortly before Christmas after suffering a heart-attack while kayak-fishing - something he loved to do.
Wai’s partner Michelle Ruatoto is also part of the Village family and heads our Household team.
Wai was a big personality who was loved dearly by our team and our residents alike. He worked with us for over 10 years and since his passing Michelle has heard from many about the difference he made to their lives.
One of the most touching stories she’s heard was from a resident who told her that Wai gave her the motivation she needed to keep living. “He was the only one who was able to encourage her to continue with the basics - washing, grooming and dressing,” Michelle said. “That was Wai for sure – he just had this
way with people and he absolutely loved caring for them.”
Care wasn’t an obvious career choice for Wai. He transitioned into the field from building – thanks to an eagle-eyed talent spotter at Regent Training. “Wai was looking around for another field to train in,” said Michelle. “He registered for a course in care-giving at Regent and was guided through by a trainer who saw his potential. She introduced him to the Village.” Wai never looked back, quickly becoming a firm favourite with managers, colleagues and residents.
The grief at his passing is still raw for Michelle but she chuckles as she recalls some of the amusing moments the couple had as workmates. “I had to pull him into line a few times at work, just like at home, and he used to enjoy telling me to get back into my lane as well. We teased each other,” Michelle says.
On one occasion Michelle pretended to a colleague that she had no idea who “that handsome Māori fella” was. And complained that he paid her no attention. “So then she told me that she was going to get him before I did. So I had to growl at her and let her know that he was actually my man. That little prank could have backfired on me!”
Michelle says Wai’s favourite part of the job was the interaction he had with the residents. Sharing their highs and lows. Every day was different.
After his death Michelle met the families of some of the residents he looked after. “That wasn’t easy. They loved him for what he did for their whanau and hearing about that just choked me up.” “It made me realise that I often didn’t see in Wai what others saw. I knew he was good at his job – but not how good he actually was. Hehad a real passion for caring for the elderly in our community. He understood that we’re all going to get old and had real empathy.”
It’s ironic, then, that Wai wasn’t destined to grow old himself.
Michelle says he loved workinghere – that for him it was truly a home away from home. “He felt so comfortable here that he could tell one of his managers about really personal stuff. That amazed me.”
Part of the reason Wai loved his mahi was that his colleagues knew how to help him stretch himself and succeed. “They challenged him in just the right way,” Michelle said. “And he delivered. As far as Healthcare Assistants go, I reckon he was one of the best and that wouldn’t have happened if people hadn’t pushed
him to succeed in the way they did.”
Wai and Michelle’s blended family comprised seven children and he was a much-loved grandfather to nine grandchildren.
He is sorely missed here at the Village. His mana, wairua and aroha remain with us, though, and will help all who knew him deal with their loss.
Kia kaha, Michelle.
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