Referred to fondly by CEO Tracey Wright-Tawha as her “right-hand woman,” Melanie Reed has been part of the NKMP whānau since almost the very beginning, starting out as a receptionist and growing into her current role as General Manager.
My first role at Nga Kete was as a receptionist, after moving on from factory work. Back then, it was just Tracey, Teina, Roy, Donald, and Janette (who was based in Christchurch doing quality assurance).
In those early days, we really had to prove ourselves as an organisation. Things like getting accounts and leasing vehicles were a big deal. Our very first contract was for transport, and Teina was running driver-licensing courses. After that, everything just built on top of itself.
A big milestone was the Gambling Harm contract, which brought Lesley Rewi on board. Then came nursing, which has been a key part of our mahi from the start.
We’ve moved around a lot over the years. We outgrew Don Street, then moved to Victoria Ave, then added Yarrow Street, and then eventually made our way to our head office, which felt massive at the time! We’ve outgrown that too, and have staff spread across multiple sites. We’ve always made it work.
When I think about all the achievements over the years, it’s hard to list them. So much of it is just woven into the fabric of our everyday work. We don’t often stop to reflect; we just get on with it. I think our biggest strengths are the people we’ve had work here, the way we’ve grown, and how we’ve stood strong together, especially during times like COVID. A big part of that is leadership. If we didn’t have strong direction, we wouldn’t be where we are today.
Becoming accredited was huge. It’s also a big deal that people now come to us with opportunities, seeking us out to apply for contracts. That’s something I never take for granted. And seeing Tracey sitting at high-level tables, influencing big decisions, that’s an achievement for all of us.
Personally, one of the most special things for me has been starting a family while working here. My first child came to work with me. That’s not something many people get to experience, and I’ll always be grateful for that.
Over the years, I’ve worn a lot of hats. I started in junior admin, then became team lead, then Tracey’s PA. I’ve managed the admin team, our nursing team, the Whānau Ora team, and worked in quality assurance, all before becoming General Manager. I’ve had a few roles, but I’ve loved the variety and the challenge.
What’s kept me here is the leadership, the work itself, and the community we serve. The work challenges me and keeps my brain ticking, and at the end of the day, it’s all about helping people.
I’ve learnt so much from the people around me. My kete is full. I’ve learnt different models of practice, different ways of working and thinking. I was in my early 20s when I started and didn’t really know what I wanted to do. But I’ve grown alongside Nga Kete, and I’ve been shaped by the people here. I’m loyal and committed, and I give everything I’ve got.
I never imagined we’d grow this big. I always understood the vision to a degree, Tracey would talk about our kaumatua sitting around with a cup of tea, discussing what whānau needed. That’s where it all began. Addictions and nursing were always key focuses, and they remain our cornerstone services. But now we’re doing so much more.
Starting the GP practice was a long-held dream at Nga Kete, and it’s one of the biggest achievements. And I’m proud of how we’ve always been able to make things happen even when the resources were limited. We’ve always gone above and beyond what’s expected.
As for the future, it’s hard to say exactly what it’ll look like. But what I do know is that I want to see NKMP still here, still doing what needs to be done for our community.
