Hana

“I’ve been involved in Te Ahu Pātiki (Conservation Park) since before its inception, but I’ve only been formally on the board since 2022. The founding board members wanted me to go on for quite a while, but my life was pretty busy; I didn’t feel like I could give it what it needed. I represent […]

Nan and her Grands

“We’ve come to throw flowers off the pier for our Nan. It was cool! People are stopping and looking at the flowers that are washed out. Well we’re all from the North Island. I live in Wellington but I just moved back actually. I was down here for a year, living with Nan. She was […]

Josh

“Many of my life choices has taught me what whānau – or what unconditional love – means.  Although we are not together, she is whānau. Our whole story I would do all over again; I don’t regret anything. We met young, we married, we had children. When I met her I was openly, but not […]

Lou

“Tēnā koutou, ngā mihi nui mō te wiki o te reo Māori! Ahakoa iti, akona, kōrerotia ia rā, ia rā. Māori Language week is a week when the language I care deeply for is normalised. The week is all about breaking down barriers and giving others the opportunity to learn and the encouragement they need […]

Sachiko

“I come from a large family, I am the eldest of six and a mama to three beautiful tamariki. I am of Māori and Japanese descent with both sides of my culture strongly influencing who I am. I left school at a young age and became a mama to my eldest daughter when I was […]