How RISE is collaborating in Kaikōura to help men
RISE’s Kaikōura clinician Robby Roche has a wealth of connections in the stunning South Island town he’s called home for the past 28 years. Robby is a RISE clinician and a driving instructor. He’s also a district councillor and is serving his second term on the Kaikōura District Council.
Kaikōura is a tight-knit community where everyone knows each other. And Robby says the wholistic care network he can tap into for clients is “fairly unique”. If a client needs urgent safe accommodation, he uses his contacts to connect them with the agencies or support they require.
“It’s just a text or a phone call to someone if there is a need, on the spot.”
RISE is based out of Te Whare Putea in Kaikōura. Te Whare Putea translates as House of Gifts. Other agencies such as budgeting advice and emergency housing are based in the building alongside RISE.
It’s a “really good space for social services” in Kaikōura, Robby says. “It’s an amazing relationship.”
One of RISE’s many strengths is that it is based in the Kaikōura community, Robby says.
Other agencies are sometimes based in Christchurch or Blenheim and travel to Kaikōura.
Being based has in the centre means Robby is on hand to help whenever the need arises.
“If there is an issue we are there. With the mahi we are involved in it is a real advantage having someone in the community rather than coming and going. That’s our difference.”
Outside of work Robby is a self-confessed motorhead. He is a former speedway competitor, who also loves fishing and climbing mountains.
Originally from Hamilton, he experienced some “pretty tough stuff” growing up. He identifies with people facing change.
“I completely turned my life around at the age of 23. So, I guess I’ve got a little bit of a journey there that I can draw on.”
Robby says his different skills and his varied life experiences are all useful in his work as a RISE clinician.
It’s a role you get the feeling he was born to do.
“I think the reason I enjoy it so much is that I have permission to bring me into the space. My experiences, my mistakes and my achievements.”
Robby says there is a lot of need in Kaikōura which is still coming to terms with the trauma of the 2016 earthquake and COVID-19 which brought the tourism reliant centre to its knees.
RISE development coordinator Aaron Agnew, and RISE clinicians Robby Roche and Victor MacGill outside the RISE office in Kaikōura.
Robby first connected with RISE when he started working as the wellbeing coordinator for North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery Alliance (NCTIR) following the Kaikōura earthquake. Through that mahi he met RISE clinician Dr Victor MacGill.
Victor started working in Kaikōura for RISE following the earthquakes. As detailed in this previous story, Victor was living in Christchurch, and at that time massive damage to SH1 meant Kaikōura could only be accessed from the south. Victor travelled to Kaikōura weekly and then fortnightly following the quakes to provide men’s non-violence programmes. He also set up networks and established a men’s group. Another popular event he started was running speakers night at Kaikōura’s Irish pub Donegal House and about 50 men would turn up.
Through their interest in wellbeing Victor and Robby started an evening course for men. This course became a men’s group which Victor ran before handing the reins to Robby.
“It’s been going for three years,” Victor says. Anecdotal feedback from that group is that it has had some amazing results with the men involved.
RISE general manager Dee Cresswell says RISE was welcomed into the Kaikōura community by the Kaikōura Violence Free Network shortly after the earthquake to support men. “We’re happy with how our work over the years working alongside many Kaikōura based community agencies has resulted in having a local doing the mahi in the community and alongside the community.
“We appreciate the fortnightly travel Victor would do from Christchurch and then Nelson to develop the relationships and support the community. The results speak for themselves.”