Temahari Laumeamea

Representing the levels and forms of aroha that can be found throughout our lives across our many communities. We acknowledge the wide range of obstacles and the journey it takes to overcoming everything that stands in our way to expressing aroha within.

Ko wai koe? What are your strengths/weakness?

I am the granddaughter of the late Tereapii and Glassie Strickland and the late Matile and Toga Laumemea Tauga. I am honoured to be the eldest daughter of the late Poia Strickland and the late Anitelea Laumemea, born of their legacy. My roots trace back to the villages of Faleula & Leauvaa in Samoa; Rarotonga, Aitutaki & Atiu in the Cook Islands; Raiatea & Bora Bora in Tahiti; and Vava’u in Tonga. These are the places where my ancestors’ strength and wisdom have deeply shaped me. 

I am the partner of Andrew, whose family is from Mutalau, Niue, where my great-grandfather, the late Arumaki Strickland, rests in the village of Alofi. He was of Cook Islands descent and traversed as a businessperson in Niue. My grandparents owned a shop, and my great-grandfather ran a bakery and bus depot. So, business, I am sure, is part of the fabric I come from. 

I am the proud mother of Deighton, Teriifaaotua Padre, and Temehani-Taraina, and a sister to Ake, Joseph, and many more beloved siblings, aunts, and uncles. 

Growing up in a large, close-knit family instilled in me the values of resilience, people skills, and a strong sense of community. Raised by powerful women and guided by deep family traditions, I developed a character grounded in both strength and compassion. My bicultural upbringing, with a mother fluent in six languages, taught me the importance of honouring and navigating diverse cultures. 

My strengths lie in faith, resilience, determination, and confidence, which give me the courage to speak up and deliver my best. However, I am still learning to set boundaries, prioritise self-care, and recognise when it is time to step back. Balancing my nurturing nature with self-care is something I strive to improve, as I understand that true strength requires balance. 

Seeking guidance from our kaitiaki Hiwa-i-te-rangi, we take a journey through our different aspirations, goals and dreams. This tohu acknowledges hard work, wisdom, the reach of ones goals and the desire that comes from this mahi.

What were/are your career aspirations leading into your chosen career path?​

My career journey has been quite the ride! I started working as a young girl in a pharmacy at the age of 10, earning five dollars an hour under the table. That was my first job, and I stayed there until I was twenty. 

By 15, I was balancing two other jobs at McDonald’s alongside my role at the chemist. By sixteen, I was counting tablets in the dispensary, and eventually, I even learned how to fill out scripts. At one point, I thought nursing might be my path, but I soon realised it was not for me and shifted to broadcasting. I enrolled at the New Zealand Radio Training School, where I completed a diploma in radio, broadcasting, and journalism, before going on to do my undergraduate degree in journalism. By nineteen, I opened my own local youth radio station, which was an exciting challenge and gave me valuable experience early on. Around twenty-one, I expanded into sales and eventually moved into social work. I had enough credits to go directly into the second year of my social work degree, and I have now been a registered social worker for 13 years. I further studied with the University of Canterbury and completed my Masters of Māori and Indigenous Leadership. Eight of those years were spent as a placement coordinator and teaching in a Bachelor of Bicultural Social Work programme at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, and then I moved to Whitireia WelTec. Later, I transitioned to roles as an academic and Pacific advisor for the Centre of Pacific Health and Social Practice team. 

Currently, I am the Program Manager, overseeing Level 3 & 4 Health and Well-being programmes, Level 3 & 4 Animal Care, and the Diploma in Veterinary Nursing. Alongside my 9-5 work, I am the co-director of Havaiki Kai, our family-run business, which has added an entrepreneurial side to my career. Each role has built on the last, giving me a mix of experiences that have shaped who I am today. 

HK was inspired by my mother’s favourite celebrity chef, Gordon Ramsay, and his show ‘Hell’s Kitchen.’ It was this ode to her flair for the show that the initials for HK come from. 

HK’s catering journey started from an ordinary family kitchen, serving family events from birthdays, weddings, baby showers, and important milestones, to unveilings and funerals, and it still serves from that same commercial space. 

With adventure comes challenges as well as obstacles to overcome. We stand proud as we overcome these obstacles. This tohu draws inspiration from the Niho Taniwha and Aramoana patterns. We acknowledge reaching our destination and preparing ourselves for the many new adventures ahead.

How wīwī wāwā has your career adventure been?​ 

In 2020, I faced one of the most challenging and transformative periods of my life. Faith has always been a guiding value for us, helping us understand that while we cannot choose the time of our birth or passing, we find strength in the journey. That year, we lost our father, reshaping the path forward for my siblings and me. Navigating life after his death as orphans was difficult but transformative, offering lessons in resilience and responsibility. We learned how to manage the transition from our family home to executing our roles as beneficiaries of our parents’ estate. 

This journey became the foundation of my business. The concept and purpose of the company grew from lived experiences and values passed down from our elders. Our family was raised around an abundance of seafood, and we grew up in a culture that celebrated the sea’s bounty. By the time I was six, I was training my palate with chilies, capsicum, and various spices, learning flavours that would later inspire our menu. I was hosting dinners for twenty family members by age nine, embracing hospitality as a way of life. 

With these values and experiences, we created Havaiki Kai, an Island catering company with expertise in seafood. The name, inspired by our heritage, reflects the idea of “Havaiki” (a land of origins and migration) and “Kai” (food), symbolising both the journey of our ancestors and our cultural connection to the Pacific. 

Our company operates on values that shape our training and unify our team, which includes three generations of nieces and nephews. We see each other’s children as our own, reinforcing a sense of family in all we do. 

We have also learned to navigate the bicultural and professional world. Balancing our family business with professional expectations requires us to master time management, meetings, and communication, but we do this while remaining true to our values. This unique fusion is what sets us apart; we understand the cultural, social, and financial nuances of our work deeply rooted in our Pacific identity. 

Our cultural understanding and life experiences make us experts in what we do, and as entrepreneurs, we have built a business that reflects who we are as Pacific people. We are proud to serve our community, contribute to education, and share our heritage through Havaiki Kai. Since we began, we have catered 1,692 events. Though we are only turning three years old in 2025, we have been fully booked since March this year, with bookings extending into late 2025 and even interest for 2026. This demand speaks to both the need for our unique approach and the strong reputation we have built. 

These patterns represent bravery and being strong in the face of adversity. We strive to be persistent and positively challenge anything that threatens to alter, restrict, and put a barrier in the way of our desired pathway.

What was your defining moment?  What words of wisdom or change in heart, changed your stars?​

One of the biggest lessons I have learned over the years is the importance of dreaming. We need to believe, set goals, and make those goals visible. It is crucial to understand why we do what we do and to establish a strong professional identity—an identity that represents our uniqueness. Instead of giving away our strengths, we should capitalise on our expertise. 

I often hear discussions around ancestral intelligence and AI, but we have an inherent intelligence within us, an instinctual knowing. Even if some of us are not privy to ancestral knowledge, we can still trust our inner guidance. If you feel something deeply, do not wait—act on it. Be yourself, do what you need to, and everything else will follow. Do not look for a magic wand because it does not exist. Be real, be prepared to make mistakes, and embrace failure. I genuinely believe in the acronym for FAIL: First Attempt in Learning. 

Also, remember that growth often happens behind the scenes, beyond the polished end product that others see. It is the challenges in the background that truly shape us, not the praises we receive at the end. 

Here we are drawing inspiration from the Pūhoro pattern.  The pūhoro is used here to represent the strength, speed and agility needed to move forward and accomplish ones goals.

What future actions/recommendations do you have for those who want to be in a career like yours?​ 

As co-directors, my partner and I wear many hats. We are parents to our children, leaders to our staff, and most importantly, soulmates to each other. Having someone you can lean on, who understands, forgives, and uplifts you when needed, is invaluable. Surround yourself with like-minded people who support your growth. 

Entrepreneurship is a journey of continuous learning, making mistakes, and adapting. If you are ready to learn, grow, and face challenges, then you are ready to be an entrepreneur. My passion is to help shift mindsets—starting with my own family. It is not your fault if you are born into a world that lacks resources or a healthy mindset, but if you die without having changed that, it is on you.

Success, best mentioned in the whakatauki “Tūwhitia te hopo, mairangatia te angitū!” Feel the fear and do it anyway!

What are some the failures/challenges in your life that have helped with your chosen career path? What are some memorable wins for your chosen path?​ 

One of the most defining moments in our business has been our decision to be ambitious and to embrace that ambition. We have tackled some large-scale events, and alongside that, we have committed to staying qualified and up to date. It is important to keep evolving, especially in a fast-paced, tech-driven world, which includes making investments in sustainable practices, like using an electric vehicle, and understanding the value of time, resources, and the right team. 

We are proud to have one of the most qualified catering teams out there, with members holding degrees and even master’s qualifications in social work, early childhood management, leadership, and community roles. This team is equipped not only with people skills in hospitality but also with the humility and adaptability to serve at any level, whether it is washing dishes or serving tables. We have built a business model that draws on all these strengths, allowing us to blend our day-to-day expertise with a hands-on approach in our catering work. 

Our business is also a tribute to the significant women in our lives—our grandmothers, mothers, and mentors—who have shaped us. Personally, I owe much to my aunt, Dr. Jean Mitaera, who has been pivotal from my teenage years onward. She has seen the highs and lows, from the birth of my children to new beginnings, and has always been there, guiding me with strength and wisdom. Her presence reminds me to stay grounded and aligned with what is right and just. 

In almost three years, our small, home-based business has built relationships with over forty suppliers and served over 400,000 people. These accomplishments honour the values and resilience passed down to us and reflect our commitment to quality, community, and growth. 

“Raised at the feet of our elders, we have been blessed to inherit the succession of the fruits of their labour.”