About Us
Who we are
ACROSS Te Kotahitanga O Te Wairua is a social services organisation serving the Manawatū community. Originally established in 1990 by the Anglican and Catholic churches, along with the mana whenua iwi Rangitāne. The board is represented by the members of the local Parishes and Rangitāne. ACROSS delivers innovative health and social care services to meet the needs of those socially and materially disadvantaged in the region. ACROSS works to strengthen the whole community and uplift whānau to a place of connection, security, and hope.
Our Vision
Te Manawa Ora - Whānau living their best lives.
Te Manawa Ora translates to Breath of Life. This concept links to the Christian creation story, where God breathed life into Adam. As a faith-based organisation, we similarly seek to be instrumental in bringing to life the dreams and aspirations of whānau, supporting them to live their best lives.
Our Mission
We are committed to making deep and lasting impacts in our community where we will:
-
Listen and respond to the needs of the community.
-
Facilitate strong, caring connections between ourselves and people in our community.
-
Support whānau to achieve their dreams and aspirations as they are the experts in their lives.
-
Be bold and courageous in new and innovative ways of meeting community needs.
Kotahitanga
Kotahitanga speaks to solidarity, unity, and collective action. It reflects the cultural responsibility to work together for the shared benefit of all. By strengthening whanaungatanga - our sense of connection and kinship -kotahitanga ensures the well-being of the waka, iwi, hapū, whānau, and Māori communities. It is through this shared purpose and mutual support that we thrive together.
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi
Engari he toa takitini.
My strength is not that of the individual
But as a collective.
Wairua
“There are many different dimensions of wairua … wairua of the people, wairua of the land, wairua of the spoken word, wairua of the child, wairua of different generations; wairua of our ancestors, the wairua that directs and inspires a person to engage.” (Valentine, 2009, p 60)
“He maha ngā peka o te wairua … te wairua a te tangata, te wairua o te whenua, te wairua o te kōrero, te wairua o te tamaiti, te wairua o tēnā whakatipuranga o tēnā whakatipuranga; te wairua o tātou matua tīpuna, te wairua whakahaere te tangata kia tau te wairua.”
He oranga ngākau, he hikinga wairua.
When it touches your heart, it lifts your spirit
Our Values
Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou
Promoting participation
Means recognising we each have something unique and important to contribute to society. We are called on to be active members of our local and global communities
He whakaaro nui mō te hunga rawakore
Protecting those in need
Means we are compelled to think first of the needs of those who are most vulnerable.
Whakawhanaungatanga
Connected humanity
Means we are invited to build relationships and to understand what life is like for others who are different from us.
He painga mā te katoa
Common Good
Means working for the good of all and respecting the rights and responsibilities of all people.
Te mana o te tangata
Human dignity
Means understanding that each of us is made in God's image, which means every person has an innate human dignity - that no one can take away.
Te whakatairanga i te rangimārie
Promotion of Peace
Means peace is the fruit of justice and love. All peace requires respect for human life, which in turn involves the safeguarding of the dignity and freedom of people.
Te tika ka tohaina
Distributive Justice
Means that God intended all people to share in the world's resources. All should have necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, and access to what is needed for full development.
Kaitiakitanga
Stewardship
Means being responsible guardians. We are kaitiaki - guardians of the earth. Exercising stewardship is caring for the gifts God has given us, including the environment, our own personal talents, and other resources.
Mana whakahaere
Taking account of subsidiarity
Means ensuring decision making happens at the most appropriate level so all those affected can contribute.
Our Logo
The ACROSS Te Kotahitanga o te Wairua logo weaves together key tikanga and anchors them within the landscape of the Rangitāne o Manawatū rohe. It symbolises our commitment to kotahitanga and wairua, and reflects our aspiration to journey alongside tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau in deep, meaningful ways.
The hills and river depicted in the logo represent the most defining natural features of the Manawatū - the Ruahine and Tararua Ranges, and the Manawatū River. The Ruahine stand proudly to one side of Palmerston North, ever-present on the horizon, while the river winds through the city, shaping our connection to place.
The green of the hills and the blue of the river speak to complementary forces — land and sea, earth and sky, man and woman. They also symbolise growth and movement. This interplay of equal but opposite relationships reflects the enduring wisdom of taha Māori.
In 2023, ACROSS embraced a fresh chapter with a redesigned logo - a modern, vibrant reflection of our growth and evolution. This change represents our commitment to continuous improvement, ensuring our services adapt to meet the needs of our communities while staying true to our foundational values.
From our early beginnings to our current role as a trusted provider of social support, ACROSS remains dedicated to strengthening families, empowering individuals, and building connected, resilient communities.
