While the Solomon Islands and Bougainville are presently the focus for attention, requests are received from other Pacific Island countries as well, and project partnerships are developed and managed.

Who participates in Mahitahi development projects?
Mahitahi advertises for expressions of interest from the laity of New Zealand, who have the qualifications and or experience needed for the tasks of the Pacific Island project. It will have been ascertained that the expertise required is unavailable locally. Most projects are short-term, ranging from 2/3 weeks, to 12 weeks. There may also be requests for some long-term placements in development projects where training of local counterparts may be planned for periods of 6 months to one year. However, these contracts need to be negotiated with local governments in order to demonstrate the need for a work permit and working visa to be granted. People interested would provide personal data and curriculum vitae through the application process, as well as information to demonstrate expertise specific to the scope of the project, and their suitabililty would be forwarded to the Diocesan authorities for consideration as project partners. The decision of suitability for partners participating in the projects remains with the Pacific Island Diocesan authorities. The accommodation and living needs are fully covered by the Pacific Island project partners. The travel and insurance arrangements are covered by the New Zealand project partner - usually supported by their church community, local community and employment groups, and in some cases - family and friends.

How do Project Partnerships proceed?
Once Mahitahi has been informed by the Pacific Island Diocesan authority of their choice to invite an expert to participate in their project, there is a period of discernment whereby the appointee considers personal arrangements such as the project time-table, planned absence from work and family as well as their travel and insurance arrangements. As 90% of any successful project depends on thorough and detailed planning, the appointee then commences a period of communication with the Pacific Island partners, during which the project scope, objectives, supplies, environment, budget, team members, training, monitoring systems and outcomes are carefully considered, discussed, negotiated and clarified. This planning communication may go on for weeks - perhaps months, so that as much certainty as possible exists for both parties before the project begins with 'on-the-ground' activities. Once commenced, it is essential that the partners monitor the project, noting progress through milestones and identifying problems which need to have alternative solutions. It is essential that training steps be completed, measured and reported so that the ability of local people is acknowledged for participation in future tasks. A final project analysis and debrief will also be the content of the Report of Project Outcome, which is completed by both the local and New Zealand project partners. This Report is provided to the Pacific Island Diocesan authority and Mahitahi.

Incorporated into the logo of this agency are three distinctive elements - the Southern Cross embedded with the Cross and a fern leaf, all very significant in Aotearoa.

The name Mahitahi brings together mahi meaning work, effort, project, goal, and tahi, the number one, unity, together, partnership. These two words have wide linguistic parallels in several Pacific Islands.

So Mahitahi, people working together, is a uniquely Aoteroa-New Zealand initiative.

Christina Reymer

Christina and her husband Rob Powell have five children, James, Renee, Stefan, Annelies and Luc. Daily life is filled with all the joys and challenges of kiwi family life.

Christina’s professional background is in education. Her teaching experience in New Zealand has spanned across all sectors from early childhood (preschool) to primary, secondary, and tertiary education. She has also spent almost 5 years working as a volunteer teaching in the non-formal education sector in Papua New Guinea. In 2001, she completed a Masters in Education at Waikato University, focussing on non-formal education and development in the Melanesian Pacific.

Christina has also been a strong advocate for the recognition of parenting as work, and has initiated a lobby group, Parents As Partners, to achieve that end.

Christina enjoys breaks away with friends or family, whether it is in the mountains or at the beach, skiing, sailing, mountain biking, or just walking or relaxing.