Meet Te Auparo!
Published: October 2, 2024
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I really enjoy when in my spare time I get the time to be aunty! You’ll often find me hanging out with my niece and nephews every other day of the week.
What is your favourite feel-good song?
It can always be a mix on any given day, most days I enjoy any of our NZ artists and waiata. Other days they’re songs like “These Words” by Badger, Natsha Bedingfeild that get me through the rest of the day!
What do you love most about your role?
What I love the most about my role is the utter privilege that it’s been to be able to follow behind the legacy of Chaz Naera who was the first ever Kaiwhirimuka for Real.
Are you an introvert or extrovert?
Feel like I tend to sway between both from time to time in being an “introverted extrovert” where I do enjoy when I do enjoy the company kept as well as connection in being around people, especially when its quality time spent with people important to you. I do also enjoy when I get to spend time on my own as well.
Do you have any favourite quotes that inspire you?
This is a whakatauki from Dame Whina Cooper who is a well-known kuia from the north.
“Take care of our children. Take care of what they hear, take care of what they see, take care of what they feel, for how the children will grow, so will be the shape of Aotearoa.”
What is one thing you can’t live without?
My ramen bowl or bowl for my noodles. Nothing special about the bowl itself but tastes better when I’m eating my noodles in my noodle bowl.
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I didn’t quite know what I wanted to be when I was growing up and I don’t think I still do… but I did know then and am still as driven as I was when I was younger to help and to give back.
If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?
I would be hanging out at the beach or near the water hanging out with whanau and hopefully it’s a beautiful sunny day with everyone together, enjoying kai, jumping into the water for a swim, or paddle!
What is your favourite type of food?
Filipino Kai or any of our local kai from here in Aotearoa!
