Researching Postcapitalist Possibilities

It is my great pleasure to introduce Daena Moller, who was awarded with a scholarship in the Masters in Sustainable Development Goals programme in the School of People, Environment and Planning at Massey University. She is an incredible wahine toa who leads in her communities in caring and innovative ways. As part of her scholarship, she will spend time as an intern on the Transitioning to Caring Economies Project in 2024.

Kia ora koutou, ko Daena Moller tōku ingoa. He uri nō Ngāti Maniapoto, Tainui, Ngāti Rangatahi hoki. 

I am a māmā of 6 tamariki and it is in the nurturing and raising of my whānau that I am passionate about caring economies and doing my part to make a difference in Aotearoa – one individual and whānau at a time. I am humbled to have the following opportunities to serve my iwi, community & Aotearoa:

• In Tāmaki Makaurau I am a founding trustee of Takiwānaga ki Tāmaki Makaurau, a kaupapa Māori charitable trust created to support whānau with Takiwātanga (Autism Spectrum Disorder) in a holistic and mana-enhancing way. Through lived experience of the challenges and barriers whānau face, our purpose is to understand, support, inform and advocate for our member’s needs. We organise disability friendly activities as well that encourage the whole whānau to attend and have fun together. This group is not exclusive to Māori but open to all families who are interested in a holistic and whānau oriented approach.
• Tāngata Turi (Māori deaf): This project listens to the voice of Māori deaf through Māori interpreters who express their urgent desire to have their aims and aspirations heard and realised. This work involves advocacy and cross-sector collaboration with tāngata turi fully involved to address the challenges and barriers they experience.
• Ngāti Rangatahi Whanaunga Association: This project identifies and repairs housing of highest concern in Ngāti Rangtahi rohe (area) and makes improvements to bring it up to a quality livable standard. A gathering of whakapapa (genealogy) and pūrākau (stories) are captured and stored. We are establishing an iwi database and communicating with Ngāti Rangatahi whānau worldwide to keep everyone connected..
• Te Kāhui Manukura o Kai Ora (Māori Dietitian rōpū of Aotearoa): Through this kaupapa I support Māori dietitians and dietetic students throughout Aotearoa to fulfill their aspirations. This includes building a support network and advocating for culturally safe training programmes and workplaces for Māori dietitians to thrive. In doing so, our members can better serve whānau in their communities to have good health and wellbeing through kai (food). 
• Aotearoa Sustainable Development Goals Alliance: This organisation has been established in response to a ‘Call to Action’ to capture the national response to the sustainable development goals (SDG). I support this organisation to collaborate with the tāngata whenua, community and voluntary sector, business, academia, local and central government to promote a positive response to the SDGs in Aotearoa. This is no small task, but necessary as we all work together for a better and sustainable country to live.

I am very grateful to be a recipient of a scholarship which has allowed me to study a Masters of Sustainable Development Goals at Massey University. This is a wonderful opportunity for me to learn and then implement into all aspects of my mahi.