We caught up with our original pilot program participants during their Tour of New Zealand to ask them a little about themselves and what they hoped to gain from their joinery to Aotearoa.
Name: Tiahli Brierley
Nickname: Lahli, sis
Age: 13
Mob: Yuin Walbunja
What inspires you to be a leader?
To inspire other young people my age to not be ashamed of their culture.
What are you hoping to take away/learn during our trip in NZ?
That you shouldn’t be ashamed of your culture and you should embrace it like the Māori people do.
Name: Tanesha Dennis
Nickname: Neesh
Age: 18
Mob: Gamilaray
What inspires you to be a leader?
What inspires me the most is to make my parents proud and to be another role model for my younger siblings and cousins that you don’t always have to follow the social “norm” and you can be your own person.
What are you hoping to take away/learn during our trip in NZ?
I’m hoping to take away stronger friendships and connection the group. To also learn how to carry the pride the same way that the Te Kura Kaupapa Māori O TūtūTaraKihi, Kaitaia. Overall just take inspiration from their strength.
Name: Shayla Moreton-Stewart
Nickname: Shay Shay
Age: 19
Mob: Yuin Walbunja / Kamilaroi / Bundjalung
What inspires you to be a leader?
I’m inspired to be a leader for my little cousins, the younger generation and my nan. I want to be a role model for the younger generation and share the knowledge I have been learning on this journey.
What are you hoping to take away/learn during our trip in NZ?
I really want to embark on a journey to learn more about my language and culture, and gain more of an understanding around the similarities between the Māori culture and our culture.
Name: Sarmaya kimalene Valarie Te-kowhai
Nickname: Maymay
Age: 18
Mob: Walbunja
What inspires you to be a leader?
My community, my people and my family.
What are you hoping to learn/take away during our trip to NZ?
Hoping to learn more about my Māori culture and to bring both cultures together for a stronger future for generations to come.
Name: Samantha Ellis
Nickname: Sam/mam
Age: 18
Mob: Walbunja with ties to the Wiradjuri and Dunghutti mob
What inspires you to be a leader?
To make sure I can play a part in keeping our community strong and our culture alive and thriving
What are you hoping to take away/learn during our trip in NZ?
I’m hoping to gain knowledge into how they have strengthened their culture and empowered their people so I can bring home that knowledge and try to apply that in our communities.
Name: Rhianna Emma May Brierley
Nickname: Rhi, RhiRhi or Rhanna
Age: 18
Mob: Yuin Walbunja
What inspires you to be a leader?
I want to break the cycle in our communities, and inspire my younger generation to become better individuals for our people and future generations.
What are you hoping to take away/learn during our trip in NZ?
I’m hoping to learn more about the culture over here and become more knowledgeable in my own culture, by listening to each others stories.
Name: Rawdon Leon
Nickname: Rawdo
Age: 17
Mob: Djiringanj
What inspires you to be a leader?
The fact that there is not many leaders to lead our people.
What are you hoping to take away/learn during our trip in NZ?
To take back the Māori cultures strength, so that I can show my people how to be strong like the Māori people.
Name: Molly-May Reynolds
Nickname: Dolly
Age: 19
Mob: Wiradjuri / Walbunja
What inspires you to be a leader?
I want to break the cycle for our younger generation and inspire them.
What are you hoping to take away/learn during our trip in NZ?
Learning their culture and inspiring me to learn more about my culture.
Name: Bradley Mumbulla
Nickname: My Bradley My Bradley
Age: 17
Mob: Yuin / Djiringanj
What inspires you to be a leader?
I’m inspired to be a leader to pass down our songs and dances to our children. I want to keep my culture strong, through tradition ceremonies.
What are you hoping to take away/learn during our trip in NZ?
I’m looking forward to the knowledge that the Māori people are sharing with us, through language and dance.
Name: Isaac Chatfield
Nickname: Jimmy
Age: 16
Mob: Wiradjuri
What inspires you to be a leader?
When I see our elders cleaning, cooking and taking care of us, it inspires me to step up because we are suppose to be looking after them.
What are you hoping to take away/learn during our trip in NZ?
A better understanding of the Māori culture.
Name: Kadie Davison
Nickname: KK
Age: 18
Mob: Yuin
What inspires you to be a leader?
Showing the younger generation that anything is possible and if an opportunity comes take it
What are you hoping to take away/learn during our trip in NZ?
More Māori language and learn the haka.
Name: Darnell Nye
Nickname: Darni
Age: 18
Mob: Yuin Walbunja
What inspires you to be a leader?
To help the youth grow and bring more culture to the community and be proud of who we are.
What are you hoping to take away/learn during our trip in NZ?
To learn more about the Māori culture, learn more about their song and dances. Embrace their power and strength and take it back home to our community and show us how to be proud of our culture.
Name: Cruz Clark
Nickname: Cruzie
Where are you from? Batemans Bay
What inspires you to be a leader?
To be a good role model for others.
What are you hoping to take away/learn during a trip in NZ?
To have no shame and to learn more about my culture and take away knowledge.
Name: Keayne Williams
Nickname: Keens Curry
Age: 15
Mob: Wiradjuri
What inspires you to be a leader?
I’m inspired to teach the younger generation our culture and to keep it alive.
What are you hoping to take away/learn during our trip in NZ?
Better leadership skills and learning more about culture.
