Barb Metzger has been a steady, compassionate presence at Ngā Kete since 2007. With 18 years of service under her belt, she’s worn many hats - from smoking cessation coach to Cancer Kaiārahi - always driven by a deep commitment to supporting her community.
I started at Ngā Kete in 2007, so it’s been 18 years now. My first role was as a smoking cessation coach, supporting hapū māmā to become smokefree because we know how massive the benefits are for our pēpi.
Before Ngā Kete, I’d always worked in roles where I was trying to make a difference. When I came here, I realised I could keep doing that - but this time, I could do it alongside people who were like me.
We’re here to serve our community, and that’s exactly how I was raised: to manaaki everyone. I’m from Bluff, and that’s just what we do, we look after each other. I felt like I had skills I could offer, and I’d found the right place to do it.
A few years in, I transitioned into a new role. I’ve always loved people and building relationships, and I was really drawn to become a Cancer Kaiārahi - a guide. In my smoking cessation work, I saw first-hand the long-term impacts of smoking: strokes, heart attacks, cancers. And I saw the struggle people faced navigating those journeys. I thought, I can help here.
I love supporting people through that cancer pathway and being a steady presence for them. Even now, I wake up on a Monday and think, Yay, I get to go to work! I feel genuinely blessed to be part of this organisation. Ngā Kete aligns with my values. I’ve stayed because this work speaks to my heart, and I’m proud to be here every single day.
One of the things I’m most proud of is starting the cancer support group. After my own health journey, I remember walking past the RSA during rehab and thinking, Where are my people? Where are the ones who understand? That question stayed with me. We were supporting people post-treatment, and I kept thinking - we need a space for them to connect. There were only two of us in the service, and we couldn’t do it all.
So we created the group. We had food, a venue, and some amazing people. It’s become more successful than we could’ve imagined. It’s a real whānau now.
What’s truly beautiful is watching them support one another, not just physically, but emotionally. A lot of people don’t realise that post-traumatic stress can happen after cancer treatment. Your body might be through it, but emotionally, it takes time to catch up. And you can’t avoid that. The group creates space for healing - for talking, sharing stories, and just being together.
Another special part of the journey has been the cancer book. A collection of people’s stories, told in their own words. It’s been emotional and incredibly powerful. People cry when they read their own stories. It becomes something they can give to their kids. And it all started with the group - their idea, their voices. Ngā Kete listened, and made it happen. Now we’re working on a second one.
I plan to retire when I’m 65. Maybe take on a smaller role, if there’s one that fits. But I’m not done yet. I want to see this cancer service continue to grow. I believe in it deeply, and I believe in the work we’re doing.
When I look back, I never imagined I’d be here this long. I thought it’d be a short-term role. But I’ve stayed because of the people and because of our CEO, who always goes above and beyond for staff and the community. I feel privileged to work for someone I trust, respect, and genuinely love working with.
Twenty-five years of Ngā Kete, it’s hard to believe. I feel blessed, fortunate, joyful. And really, we’re just getting on with it - serving our people. That’s what it’s always been about.
