BIO

I am embarrassed to say that I have come through so much of my life not really understanding Te Tiriti o Waitangi. A visit to Waitangi in 2020 inspired me to learn and understand more. Now I recognise and respect its importance, for not only Māori but Pākehā too. The Manavation whānau enables me to ask questions without fear of offending anyone.

As director of a company (NSPR) we are looking at our responsibilities to Te Tiriti. We aspire to be a great New Zealand company, ensuring we honour Te Tiriti every day. As a team there is a real sense of energy associated with how we recognise Partnership, Protection and Participation. We are not there yet and I sense our approach will be ongoing – as this isn’t something you sort and pop in a box – this is about how we operate as a great company.

One aspect I have completely fallen in love with is te ao Māori, the Māori world view. It resonates so much with my way of thinking about the environment. NSPR’s kaupapa places hauora (health), whānau (family) and whanaungatanga (connection) at the core of any decision making. If NSPR was a home, these are our foundations, walls and roof. Without one of them our home is wobbly and vulnerable but together they make us strong. It excites me that without knowing NSPR is aligned with a te ao Māori view Te Whare Tapa Whare (The Maori Health Model). It feels so right and it works. Everything is interconnected and related. Through Manavation I have learnt that te reo will come, but thinking in a te ao Māori way is the most important aspect. Can you imagine how beautiful our world would be if we took a te ao Māori view?

I loved learning the importance of a karakia. Recently I was able to welcome the Local Board to a native reserve I am involved in near where I live and to say the karakia at the start and completion of the hui. It felt humbling to be able to do this. I never dreamt I could do something like this three months ago. Ngā mihi Manavation.

Likewise for my pepeha – it has been a wonderful experience. Despite not knowing it off by heart, I have a deep understanding of the kupu (words) and their deep significance to me. I love that through a pepeha deeper whanaungatanga (connection) can be made with people. This is truly the nugget of life!

Yes I have so much more to learn but I have started my cultural confidence journey and it feels so good. It fills my wairua, pushes my brain, makes me smile and has allowed me whanaungatanga with so many incredible tangata.

AUT Beginners Māori Course - Final Results: