Ki ngā maunga e kore e neke, ngā maunga e tū whakahīhī mai nei ko Hikurangi, ko Kahuranaki, Ko Te Upoko o Tahumatā
Hahau ana te rongo i ngā reo karanga a ōku mātua tīpuna, mai ngā marae ātea o Mihiroa, Waimārama, Mangahanea, Wairewa karanga mai, karanga mai!
Heke iho te rere ki ngā whanga o Ngāti Mihiroa, o Ngāti Whakaiti, o Te Whanau o Hinetapora o Ngāti Irakehu, o Ngāti Makō
Kawea mai te rere ki ngā awa o Tukituki, o Waingongoro, o Waiapu, o Ōkana
Ka rere ki uta ko ngā waka tapu ko Horouta, Takitimu kei runga, Uruao kei raro.
He herenga wairua, he herenga tangata ko ngā uri o Kahungunu, o Porourangi, Ko Ngāti Kahungunu, Ko Ngāti Porou, Ko Ngāi Tahu
Tihei Mauri Ora!
Can you share a bit about your professional journey leading up to your current position?
For the past 12 years, I have focused my career on the field of education within my Rohe o Ngāti Kahungunu. My various roles have consistently aligned with my passion for working with Māori for Māori, a commitment inspired by my Nanny Ata Morrell, a staunch advocate for Māori health and well-being.
I have had the utmost privilege of working as a Māori Youth Juvenile Facilitator, creating programmes to support rangatahi in reconnecting with their tuakiritanga. I worked within primary schools as a Classroom teacher within Reo Rua/Bilingual & Rumaki/Māori Immersion classrooms, a kapahaka tutor, music bands & choir tutor, and as a teacher aide supporting our takiwatanga tamariki. Most recently, I was the Engagement & Partnerships Team Coordinator with Waihanga Ara Rau Workforce Development Council.
What attracted you to this role? What are your responsibilities?
I find great joy in the continuous collaboration and engagement with tangata whenua, whether in the capacities of pakihi Māori, iwi, or hapū. I am fortunate to be part of an incredible team that authentically embodies the values of our organisation: tika, aroha, mārama, pono, and manaakitanga. It’s a privilege that I deeply appreciate.
My primary responsibilities revolve around connecting with pakihi Māori; actively listening, understanding, and crafting workforce opportunities that genuinely benefit pakihi Māori, iwi & hapū. I am also committed to identifying existing systems that may not effectively serve Māori and the seeking to remove the barriers that hinder progress.
What role can Ringa Hora play in making the industry better? What achievements of Ringa Hora are you most proud of?
Ringa Hora has been responsible for bringing about significant changes in the vocational education system. Our main focus is to identify the gaps in the workforce and the needs of the industry, with our work driven by the industry itself. I am particularly excited about the success of our first-ever Tuiā Māori Service Sector Forum event, where we provided a platform for tāngata Māori within the service sector to learn and collaborate.
