The Korean Positive Ageing Charitable Trust (KPACT) has been targeting the needs of Korean older people and their families for the past six years.
To promote and maintain a happy, healthy and holistic way of life for Korean seniors and their families, KPACT offers a number of services to foster inclusive communities.
KPACT was developed in response to the needs of settled and emerging Korean senior communities who proudly call New Zealand home, but are often held back by the challenges of language barriers and cultural differences.
Community work is at the heart of the organisation, and KPACT works closely with the local community to empower Korean residents by providing support, enhancing their wellbeing and enabling them to experience New Zealand society through programmes such as local sports, introducing Māori culture and visiting marae. This is on top of traditional cooking, calligraphy and dance classes that allow members to retain active connections to their own cultural identity and roots.
With funding from Foundation North, KPACT has been able to expand its reach beyond Howick, and the Trust is proud to have seen membership grow over the years, weaving their cultural connectivity to the wider community and whānau.
“Over the last four years with Foundation North’s support, we have been operating valuable community projects including Silver School activities and Positive Ageing Workshops; empowering Korean residents to participate in local elections, the census and events. In February 2018 we moved to our new premises, Stancombe Cottage. Now we are offering more community engagement programmes such as a lifelong learning academy for Korean residents to provide education opportunities, and growth of the potential Korean community of the future. Foundation North’s grant allowed us to encourage active participation and share cultural diversity to build up social integration in New Zealand society.”
-Yongrahn Park, Service Manager of the Korean Positive Ageing Charitable Trust
