Kainga Aroha Community House manager Kane Rangitonga has been awarded a Queen’s Service Medal.
Kainga aroha means a home of love.
Te Awamutu’s Kane Rangitonga certainly felt that love while chatting with The News having been awarded a Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) for services to social work and the community in the King’s Birthday Honours list announced on Monday.
His was the only name on the list with a Waipā address.
He’s been Kainga Aroha Community House manager for about a decade – and a somewhat shocked Kane is quick to make a point.
“I’m honoured, but it’s never been about me. We’re a team – a family. Nothing’s achievable without the amazing people here.
“I’m over the moon for everyone. They consistently care for, and aim to build up, a resilient, empowered community through coordinated social services.”
Kainga Aroha has about nine staff and up to 30 volunteers.
It offers financial help and support, counselling, family support services, family violence advocacy, and facilitates supervised contact.
The team also runs an annual kids’ camp.
Kane’s family – and loving home life – make his work possible, he says.
He and wife Michelle have seven children and 19 grandchildren.
“I can’t do this without them. I can’t come to work as one type of person, then go home as another. My family grounds me, helping me keep that balance.”
Born in Kopaki, south of Benneydale of Ngāti Rereahu descent, Kane grew up in Taumarunui – spending much of his childhood on his marae, Hia Kaitupeka.
Kane credits that upbringing with instilling in him the principle of manaakitanga, showing care for others, at a young age.
Another key early step on the path he now walks was shifting to Wellington in the 1970s.
Though a culture shock at the time, he still draws on lessons that season developed in him.
Attending Wainuiomata College, Kane captained the school’s 1st XV rugby team and was part of the kapa haka group.
He recalls one of his teachers – Moana Jackson – as pivotal.
“Moana mentored me from Year 11 to Year 13. He was my rugby coach, my Māori teacher and almost like a second father.”
Now, Kainga Aroha is the culmination of everything life has taught him, Kane says.
Simply put, he’s ultimately passionate about strong whanau.
A significant figure in sparking that aspiration was another mentor – Logan Bannister – who first encouraged him to consider social work.
“I was a solo parent for many years – and social work sounded exactly like what I’d been doing in that sphere.
“I realised I could help other families walking that same path.”
Gaining a Bachelor of Social Sciences, Kane worked at what’s now Oranga Tamariki – for 10 years, before taking on his current role.
“Kainga Aroha is similar to organisations which supported me throughout my years as a solo parent. I’m privileged to be here.”
Outside work, Kane has a long-standing association with Te Awamutu Sports, and in particular, rugby league.
His “good mate”, Touch New Zealand CEO Joe Sprangers, helped Kane see he had experiences and skills to bring to the table as Kainga Aroha’s manager.
“He could see something bigger than myself was possible – in part, Joe made me aware that by being part of the team here, I’d be involved in impacting hundreds in our community.”
A former premier reserve coach and chairman of Te Awamutu Sports Firehawks Rugby League Club, Kane now gets a thrill watching his mokopuna – his granddaughters – playing the game.
Looking ahead, he says Kainga Aroha will remain focussed on the “big picture”, strengthening the foundation first laid when it opened in Kihikihi in 1987.
“Most importantly, it’s about fostering strong community relationships so people feel they can come to us. Many actually do, before going anywhere else. Our door is always open, we don’t judge anyone.
“Te Awamutu is a wonderful community. When needed, others are only too happy to help – that’s a real strength.”
