I am Kaitaia-born and bred, a local through and through. My childhood home was on the Awanui Straight, and my school years were spent right here, progressing through Kaitaia Primary, Kaitaia Intermediate, and Kaitaia College. My upbringing was a happy one. With just one younger sister, our life was simple, supported by two working parents. We never went without the basics, even if Mum had to be handy with a sewing machine to make our clothes. Our brightest memories are the classic Far North summers: days at the beach, and the excitement of trips down to Whangarei and Auckland to visit family.
My parents were old-fashioned in the best sense, instilling a strong work ethic. It was drummed into us to work hard, be honest, and help others less fortunate. These values, I think, are the engine behind my community involvement today. Dad’s advice for our first part-time jobs was always, “make sure you’re there 15 minutes before you start.” Being on time wasn’t just a rule; it was a character trait. Loyalty, punctuality, honesty, and trustworthiness became engrained in who I am.
I didn’t leave Kaitaia until I headed south for university in Hamilton, where I completed my Bachelor of Management Studies with first-class honours. After a couple of years working in Auckland, my husband Lance and I made the deliberate choice to return to Kaitaia when our son was two. The Far North beckoned us home.
My career path has been anything but linear, fuelled by a personality that thrives on variety, challenge, and change. It began with an unexpected call: teaching strategic management at Kaitaia College. Though unqualified at the time, this led me to complete my teaching diploma through Auckland College of Education.
A significant chapter was our three-year move to the Cook Islands, after I secured a job at the Ministry of Education in Rarotonga while working as Deputy Principal at Abundant Life School. We had three months to pack up our family—it was genuinely the best three years of our life.
When our eldest daughter neared NCEA level, we moved back to New Zealand, settling in Whakatāne, where I became Deputy Principal of Trident High School. Whakatāne felt like home, and I thought we would be there forever. However, family needs called us back to Te Hiku when my father-in-law became unwell, and we’ve been back ever since.
Upon returning, jobs were scarce, so I took a different path: buying a florist and gift shop. The joy of working with flowers and beautiful things was incredible, but retail is a tough, tough industry. I worked more hours in that role than any other. Seriously, hats off to everyone in retail!
My next role, the Te Hiku Revitalisation Project, was amazing but came with significant challenges. The key lesson I learned was that you can’t please everyone all the time. The energy and time consumed by a vocal, unhappy minority was immense, and some of the interactions were incredibly hurtful. In a period that included COVID, the project, and working in toxic environments, the five years from 2020 were arguably the toughest of my career. The silver lining was the huge connection and collaboration with Te Hiku as a whole. Seeing our communities come together in that time was an awesome thing.
Today, I feel like I am in my element at Ahipara School, combining my management and business skills with my teaching experience. Every day, every hour, is different, and while that is a challenge, it is also what I love.
Despite everything, it is my favourite role I’ve ever been in, and I am grateful for it. What I love most is working with our young people and my brilliant team here. I fundamentally believe everyone achieves more in a team, drawing on each other’s strengths. My varied career has kept me learning and appreciating the diversity of people.
Te Hiku truly is a special place. The people in our community are so friendly and happy compared to others. This is home. With elderly parents and our children and grandchildren here, Lance and I feel very settled in this chapter of our lives.
This year, I’ve been on a health and well-being journey that has made a massive difference to my ability to do everything else. I love the Te Whare Tapa Whā model—when my social, emotional, physical, or mental well-being pou (pillars) are out of balance, everything suffers.
A huge mind shift for me has been around purposeful play in education. I used to think it was just a time filler, but when planned purposefully, it is vital for coordination, left-right brain development, creativity, and speech—especially important for a generation spending so much time on devices. It makes a significant difference, especially for new entrants transitioning to school.
What fills my cup and brings me joy is simple but important: my children and my grandchildren. My mental health and “me-time” involves a daily walk on the beach, come rain, hail, wind, or sunshine, before my day begins. And then, in the weekends, just hanging out with friends and family.
If I could go back and speak to my teenage self, I would tell her: Don’t worry about what others think. I was shy and worried constantly, which led to many missed opportunities. Now, I understand there’s no need to constantly try to prove myself. Take every opportunity and live life to the fullest, because life is short. I just want a life that is full and happy, and I am grateful for every day I’m earthside.