“We Be Who We See” is a captivating initiative designed to honour and share the incredible stories of those thriving in our service industries. This project shines a spotlight on the achievements of Māori, Pacific, and Tangata Whaikaha individuals, aiming to inspire and encourage others to follow in their footsteps.
These conversations are shaped by the 6 pou (pillars) of the Mata Ārahi Manomano Career Pathways Framework. This framework respects the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, blending a te ao Māori perspective with career development theory and practice. It promotes a partnership model focused on ākonga (learners), with three atua (deities) – Hiwa-i-te-Rangi, Maui, and Tāne-au-kaha – serving as guardians. The essence of each atua is reflected in the six pou: Aroha, Aspiration, Adventure, Attitude, Action, and Angitu.
We aim to conduct multiple interviews, capturing the diverse experiences and pathways of Māori, Pacific, and Tangata Whaikaha in the Service sector. If you know someone who fits this description, encourage them to get in touch and share their inspiring story.
Faleomavaega Helen Karati is a dedicated public servant with over 20 years of experience. Helen’s journey is a testament to resilience, community, and unwavering commitment to service. Hailing from the villages of Saleaaumua, Aleipata and Lelepa in Savai’i, Helen’s Samoan heritage and values have been the cornerstone of her career.
In this interview, Helen shares her humble beginnings and the pivotal moments that shaped her path. From supporting her family financially after college to her first role at the Ministry of Social Development (MSD), Helen’s story is one of perseverance and dedication. She reflects on the challenges of fitting into a system that often required her to change, only to realize that her true value lay in being herself.
Helen’s career is marked by significant achievements, including leading the development of the Pacific Prosperity strategy at MSD and leading the Māori, Pacific and Ethnic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work programme at Te Kawa Mataaho. Her work is deeply rooted in community engagement, ensuring the voices of Māori and Pacific people are heard and integrated into public service policies.
Throughout her journey, Helen emphasizes the importance of knowing your “why”—the driving force behind her commitment to serve her family and community. She advocates for ambition, boldness, and the power of cultural identity in shaping one’s career. Helen’s story is also a reminder of the importance of mentorship, community support, and celebrating wins, both big and small.
Join us as Helen discusses her challenges, memorable wins, and the future actions she recommends for those aspiring to follow in her footsteps. Her insights offer valuable lessons on leadership, resilience, and the transformative power of staying true to oneself.
Russell’s career is marked by both challenges and triumphs. From the stress of frequent relocations impacting his family to surviving a helicopter crash in 1990, his journey has been a testament to resilience. Yet, these experiences have only fuelled his passion for aviation and his commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce.
A memorable highlight of Russell’s career was serving as an equerry for the Queen during a royal visit, a role that took him from Aotearoa to Buckingham Palace. His dedication to rescue missions, often making the difference between life and death, underscores his profound impact on the community.
Russell Pirihi’s story is a powerful reminder that with perseverance and passion, even the most ambitious dreams can become a reality. Join us in celebrating his remarkable journey and the invaluable contributions he continues to make in the field of aviation.
Te Rina McRae-Hape is a proud Māori wahine and is honoured to serve as the Kaitautoko for the Tauranga Māori Business Association. With a rich background spanning 19 years in the banking sector, she brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for uplifting our people and fostering sustainable growth.
A sporting injury required Te Rina to find balance in her daily routine and life, and utilise her passion for uplifting people to bring about a reset in her career journey.
“Pre-injury, I was very career-driven and motivated by one sentence from a leader. I worked hard to ensure I could excel, always putting things in place to achieve my goals. Post-injury, I view it as a second chance at life. How can I become a person who helps uplift our people, our whānau, our hapori? Especially with the changing times and economy, how can I navigate that space?”
We are honored to introduce Aifa’i Esera, a dedicated community leader and advocate for Pasifika empowerment. Aifa’i’s story is one of resilience, faith, and unwavering commitment to his heritage and community.
Aifa’i hails from the villages of Tuana’i, Solosolo and Sapunaoa, carrying the legacy of his great-grandfather, a revered chief known for his bravery and service. This deep connection to his roots has shaped Aifai’s vision and mission in life. Despite facing numerous challenges, including the loss of his younger brother and the struggles of adapting to a new country, Aifa’i has remained steadfast in his purpose.
His career journey is a testament to his adaptability and determination. From selling newspapers as a child in Samoa to working for the Tauranga City Council for 12 years, Aifa’i has always sought ways to uplift his community. His current role involves supporting Pacific business owners, bridging gaps between councils, businesses, and the community, and ensuring that the aspirations of his ancestors are realized.
Navi Singh Aujla, a Business Advisor at WE Mana, embodies a profound commitment to enhancing the lives of Māori and Pacific people through his work. With a background in hospitality and a passion for entrepreneurship, Navi’s journey has been anything but linear. He candidly shares the challenges he faced during the COVID era, particularly the emotional impact of closing his business, Ika Bowl. This experience taught him invaluable lessons about resilience and the importance of taking responsibility for one’s circumstances.
Navi emphasizes the significance of building strong relationships in business, believing that collective success is far more impactful than individual achievements. His approach to problem-solving is rooted in empathy and adaptability, qualities that are essential in today’s dynamic business environment. He advocates for personal development, encouraging others to step outside their comfort zones and embrace experiential learning.
As a Business Advisor, Navi finds fulfillment in facilitating workshops and witnessing transformative moments for his clients. His genuine excitement for helping others achieve their goals is evident, and he takes pride in the positive impact he makes in the community. Through his work at WE Mana, Navi is dedicated to fostering a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring that businesses not only thrive but also contribute meaningfully to the lives of those they serve.
Ta’afua Iloa Koko-Iulio, better known as Iloa Koko, hails from the vibrant villages of Malie and Lalomanu. Raised in Wellington and based in Auckland since 1991, Iloa has built a career on strengths in team building, vision delivery, and organizational skills. Beginning in Duty Free, Iloa’s journey expanded into luxury brands like Gucci and Chanel. Despite often being one of the few brown faces in corporate settings, Iloa draws strength from identity and experiences.
Navigating the post-Covid landscape was a defining moment, where Iloa influenced positive change. Iloa advises aspiring professionals to embrace customer service roles to polish their skills, shadow strong leaders, and always be ready to pivot. Memorable achievements include being named Leader of the Year 2022 and networking with influential figures.
“There is a time and season for everything. Put everything into perspective; as we are here temporarily! Be gracious in all you do.”
James Whetu embarked on a transformative journey driven by self-belief and a thirst for knowledge. Accessing the knowledge freely available in books at the library, he sought to understand financial independence and leverage his skills into a consultancy career. With a professional focus, he reshaped his approach to demonstrate his capabilities.
A significant turning point was integrating family values into his business model. What he once saw as a weakness—prioritizing family over work—became a strength, weaving these values into the fabric of his consultancy services.
Dissatisfaction with the methodical, risk-averse approaches in town planning led him to seek alternative solutions. He aimed to include the Māori voice in decision-making, creating his own systems to challenge existing ones. His career path expanded into governance roles and supporting community and iwi initiatives.
James’ adventure involved learning through participation and applying knowledge in real-world settings. With his wife, Amy, they have helped shape Ngaruawahia’s Durham Precinct, a community space fostering local businesses and entrepreneurs by providing creative, low-overhead spaces.
James’ story underscores the importance of self-belief, continuous learning, and integrating cultural values into one’s career. It offers a powerful message to inspire Māori youth to carve their own paths and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Holly Hiko, Business Development Manager at Property Scouts Manukau, offers an inspiring career pathway journey. A Maori business partner, raised in South Auckland, Holly’s journey is a testament to resilience and community spirit. She currently lives in Mangere Bridge, Auckland with her dad and husband, and their dog. Both Holly’s dad and late mother whakapapa back to Tainui.
Holly’s educational background spans several South Auckland schools, ending at Auckland Girls Grammar. Her passion for sports and travel, including a transformative exchange year in Argentina, highlights the importance of diverse experiences in shaping one’s career.
Professionally, Holly’s role involves acquiring new properties and extensive networking. Her previous experience as a Property Manager, managing around 90 properties, equipped her with essential skills in tenant management and property maintenance. Holly’s leadership and willingness to embrace new opportunities have been key to her success.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Holly joined Property Scouts, helping to grow the business significantly. Her dedication led her to buy into the business, securing a franchise agreement for the next six years. Holly’s commitment to community is evident as she brings family and friends into the business, providing valuable work opportunities.
Navigating a career pathway can be a journey filled with strengths and weaknesses. For many Māori, one of the greatest strengths lies in the ability to think beyond the ordinary and approach challenges with a unique perspective. This often involves exploring careers not traditionally seen as pathways for Māori and pursuing them with determination and creativity.
JJ Ripikoi exemplifies this mindset. He embarked on a journey to be a certified pilot and has started his own travel business. He has always embraced the idea of giving things a go until they work, even if it means moving on to the next challenge once mastered. This approach can be both a strength and a weakness, as it fuels his drive to explore new opportunities but sometimes makes it difficult to stay engaged with one kaupapa for an extended period.
Rooted in Te Hiko o te Ika and nurtured in kura kaupapa Māori, JJ’s journey is a testament to the power of cultural identity and education. His path, from Te Kura Māori o Ngā Tapuae to studies in Murihiku, and back home to contribute to his community, is a reflection of the values instilled in him. His aspirations, shaped by a thirst for adventure and a willingness to tread unconventional paths, even when the outcome is uncertain, remind us of the importance of our cultural identity and the role of education in our journey. This mindset has been crucial in navigating the ups and downs of his career, reminding him that passion and perseverance are key to achieving his goals.
We aim to conduct 50 interviews, capturing the diverse experiences and pathways of Māori, Pacific, and Tangata Whaikaha in the Service sector. If you know someone who fits this description, encourage them to get in touch and share their inspiring story.
