Kanan ( Tūhoe, Rongowhakaata, Te Āitanga ā Māhaki  )

Kaimahi

“Anytime I go [away], I love coming back to see Kapiti Island… That’s how I know I’m home”. Kaimahi Kanan talks about their love for home, learning, and shares some  inspirational kōrero

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE KAPITI COAST?
“I’ll say one thing, anytime I go anywhere else… I love coming back to see Kapiti Island… That’s how I know I’m home. There is so much nature… I love how you can hike in the bush, walk along the river, and then go to the beach all in one spot!”

HE AHA TŌ TINO WHAKATAUKI/WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE QUOTE? “Don’t let your today determine your tomorrow.. Everything should be flowing…. It reminds me not to get too caught up in yesterday’s problems or issues. Every day is a new day. It’s a new opportunity. A new time to live it how you wanna live it!”

WHAT’S ONE THING PEOPLE MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU?
“I have a degree in Performing Arts… I love studying… And that’s why I’m back to studying in my first year at Whitireia to be a Councillor.. I know I just finished my last degree and now I’m straight back into it! It’s awesome! I go from class where we’re learning about all these things… And then I can come to Manaaki Kapiti and put it into practice! It’s like I’m learning 100% of the time!”

REFLECTIONS ON THE MAHI YOU DO AT MANAAKI KAPITI…
“I feel like it’s to do with helping people and bettering people… I wanted to teach children how to express themselves through dance… I love working with youth, I have a passion… The way I was brought up in my whānau … I love [being able] to do it for a job now, and that’s why I work here.”

“It doesn't really feel like a job.. I can’t wait to go back [to work]... It’s such a nice space to work in, with awesome people, with the same passions and different diverse experiences… It’s awesome to work in a very Māori space… Everything we do is related to Te Ao Māori..