As I look back on the past year, one thing stands out above all else: the sheer strength and value delivered by Ember Services, even in the most challenging conditions our sector has faced in years.
Across Ember, our teams have continued to show up day after day to ensure tangata whaiora receive safe, effective support, when and where it’s needed most. That doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because of strong leadership within our services, dedicated managers guiding their teams, and kaimahi who bring skill, care, and commitment into their work every single day. I want to thank them all.
One of the most encouraging developments this year has been the growth of peer support across the organisation. Responding to the challenge set by the Minister of Mental Health, we’ve expanded peer-led approaches into new settings, including crisis services and emergency departments. These are demanding environments, and our lived-experience teams are not just stepping up, they are leading nationally. I couldn’t be prouder of what they’re achieving.
Alongside this, our services continue to grow and evolve to meet real needs in the community. Kāinga Haumaru has supported people into long-term tenancies and prepared for the opening of Ember’s first housing development in Pukekohe. Our work in innovation and research has also strengthened, with new partnerships helping us improve how services are designed and delivered.
We’ve also expanded how we share knowledge and spark conversation, through platforms like Take It From Us and Horizon. But it’s important to say this clearly: none of that work exists without our service teams. Everything we do beyond service delivery is built on the daily work of our kaimahi supporting people who need Ember in their lives.
Ember is now more than an organisation. It’s a movement grounded in service, lived experience, and community impact. We’ve achieved a lot this year, but there’s much more ahead. And I believe we’re ready for it.
