Research Seminar: Valerie Wichman

Valery Wichman is the chief advisor of Te Tiare Association and an advocate for equality and giving a voice for those who cannot speak. Valery is currently the Director of Central Policy and planning office at the office of the Prime Minister. She is a lawyer by trade but has worked in the public policy space for the last 10 years, her recent notable working including the development of the Te Ara Akapapa’anga Nui 2020+ which gives a 100 year vision towards Turanga Memeitaki.

As part of TPVM's research seminar series, Valery delivered a seminar on her Masters research on Turanga Memeitaki (Wellbeing) and the Anuanua (Rainbow) community in the Cook Islands, highlighting her innovative methodology Kai Vananga-Vatavata, a method grounded in Akapapa'anga that makes spiritual space for dialogue with particular attentiveness and empathy to better provide for the sensitivities working with diverse and marginalized groups.

Meitaki ma'ata to Val for sharing with us.