5 August 2011

Building up a picture of what is happening with providers in Christchurch following the earthquakes has been a focus for Pact’s new Christchurch-based coordinator, Teresa Evans-Turner.

Teresa’s position came about after Pact agreed a contract with the Ministry of Social Development to hire a community-based staff member to connect with clients, service providers, schools, tertiary institutions and employers to ascertain needs, identify gaps and create opportunities.

Teresa (27) began in the role on June 22.

Her main focus in the first few weeks has been on building up a picture of what is happening in the city. She has been meeting with service providers to gain an overview of the services they provide, how the earthquake has affected them and what support would be helpful for them to meet their contractual obligations.

Teresa says it is difficult to say at this stage what form that support might take – it will be dependent on the service providers needs, however gathering and distributing up-to-date information, assisting with service access and relationship engagement are crucial.

She is also finding out what support clients need, what community amenities and support are available and is meeting with other relevant organisations like the Christchurch City Council, Lead Schools Transition and tertiary institutions.

Teresa has also been doing administrative work, setting up new office space on Blenheim Road.

She had previously moved to Christchurch to take up a job as a statistical analyst with Statistic New Zealand, to evaluate data on the New Zealand census. Her role was a topic expert for the cultural data (ie ethnicity, religious affiliation, languages, birthplace and years since arrival), but the earthquakes meant the census was postponed so her contract was cancelled.

Prior to the Christchurch move she worked as a research assistant at the Donald Beasley Institute in Dunedin, which carries out disability research. She worked there for three years and while there completed a post-graduate certificate in public health.

Before that she studied tourism at the University of Otago, completing a master’s degree. Although the vast majority of her study has been in tourism, she says the research skills she developed can be applied to many disciplines.

She says she was attracted to the Pact job because of the disability background she gained at the Donald Beasley Institute. The fact she would be out in the community in the role, as opposed to being desk-bound, also appealed to her.

"It’s good to get out and about. I’m a people-person so I enjoy interacting with people in the community."

Teresa also believes the role will provide her with a challenge and it will be good for her career to have spent time in Christchurch in a stand-alone position.

Though born in Wellington she views the south as home, having moved to Waikouaiti when she was 12. She would like to return to Dunedin one day.

In her spare time she likes going to the gym, walking her dog, playing netball and mountain-biking. She also enjoys music, reading, shopping and socialising with friends and family.

She and her fiancé recently set a date to get married next year in Rarotonga.