Ko wai au
Who am I


I am a mama, a daughter, a sister, a cousin, a wife, a niece, an aunty and a friend
(not necessarily in that order).

He uri no Te Rarawa me Ngāti Kuri, I was born in Western Australia and was raised in West Auckland.

I live in Tāmaki Makaurau with my Niuean husband, teenage step daughter, teenage daughter and five year old son.

Personal
Background

I lived a very transient life throughout my childhood and teenage years. The one constant I had during that time was sport. Regardless of what school I went to or what sports club I played for, the rules never changed. Playing sport helped me to adapt to my environment and make friends.

Due to the constant changes in my life, I learned to be adaptable, living with constant change I became accustomed to and looked forward to having a new house, room and friends.

Throughout my teenage years I spent some time in small town Aotearoa before moving to Cairns, North Queensland to finish my high schooling. During my time in Aus, I lived with my father who was both an alcoholic and drug addict. These experiences have shaped how I see the world.

In my late teens I moved back to Tāmaki Makaurau ki te uru, where I had to adjust to creating a social network, while navigating the death of my father and the absence of my mother.

Fast forward to my adult years, in my late 20s I was blessed with a beautiful baby girl who has taught me so much. I then met my now Niuean partner who brought his daughter into our lives and we have a 6 year old son together.

Professional
Background

I started my working career in leisure services, while I was studying for my degree in Sport and Recreation.

Once I graduated from Uni, I was unable to find a job in the sport and rec sector so I ended up working in youth development. During this time was able to link my lived experience with my learning from University.

Following my time in youth work, I moved to a Regional Sports Trust working in community development and systems change based roles. Working my way into a Management role leading a team of community development specialists and ethnic diversity specialists. During this time I completed my post graduate certificate in Health Science.

My time at the Regional Sport Trust came to an end when I moved to Auckland Council to work as part of The Western Initiative team working towards economic prosperity for Māori and Pasifika West Aucklanders. While working there I completed my Masters in Social Change Leadership as an Atlantic Fellow for Social Equity.

Since finishing my Masters, I now have the privilege of working for Te Kawerau ā Maki Iwi Tiaki Trust, the Mana Whenua of West Auckland.

Core Values

  • Everything I do is for Tino Rangatiratanga for my people

  • I will work with integrity. Doing the right thing in an reliable way

  • I will be curious in all that I do, to seek, to learn and understand.

  • Innovation is where I see the solutions to todays problems are

  • I will honour and empower the mana of those I work with and for