Ko wai au? About me
I have lived in New Plymouth, in the Taranaki Region of Aotearoa New Zealand since 2010.
My full-time role is as a Community Health Promoter (Kaiwhakatairanga Hauora Hapori) for Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa. My mahi involves increasing healthy literacy in the contexts of sexual and reproductive health, healthy relationships & consent.
I went to high school in the Bay of Plenty, and went on to achieve an Honours Degree in Social Sciences, majoring in Sociology and Political Science at the University of Waikato. I have spent time in retail, the Public Sector and in community health before landing my current role at Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa, which is a very fulfilling role with an amazing team.
My partner, Jonathan lives overseas. We used to go out when we were teenagers, and reconnected whilst in the midst of personal transitions of life. It’s been a wonderful journey with him these last few years and I can honestly say that he is the best thing that’s EVER happened to my heart!
My biggest passion is Te Ao Māori. I learn Te Reo Māori at Te Wananga o Aotearoa and learn as much as I can to decolonise the world I live in.
It’s a pretty meke life, e Hoa mā. I’m sure the ending is not in sight hehe!
Lastly, this is where I stand:
Toitū te Tiriti. Honour Te Tiriti.
Mai i te awa, ki te moana. Free Palestine.
I strongly oppose the Definitions of Woman and Man Amendment Bill.
Why I became a Marriage Celebrant
I was at a wedding, back in February 2015 and at that wedding, friends of ours who were planning their nuptials the following summer asked my childrens’ dad about the prospect of becoming a celebrant to officiate their wedding. He was open to the idea, so we asked the celebrant who officiated the wedding we were at what it took to become a Marriage Celebrant.
She walked us through the process and the looked me smack bam in the face and said “hey, you’d be a good celebrant”. I asked why, and she explained that, to become a celebrant, you must show that you fill a certain gap in your community. For me it was that I was young and I was also of Māori descent. A couple of weeks later, I said to the girls’ Dad (quite embarrassed, knowing I was going to rain on his parade) that I quite liked the idea of this celebrant thing. Knowing how ‘in the present’ I lived, also taking in to account at that time our children were 1 and 2 years old, he said not to do it. But, for the second time in our entire relationship, I DEFIED HIM!
I started the application process in February 2015, and was eventually registered as a Celebrant in July 2015.
Photo Credit: Charmaine Adlam Photography
Kaupapa Purpose
What am I here for? What do I want to achieve?
Kei konei ahau hei whakamārena i ngā tāngata, ahakoa ko wai. Mākū e whiriwhiri i ngā tikanga ahurea, ā, e ū tonu ana ki ngā uara o te kanorau me te whakaurunga.
I am here to marry people, whoever they may be. My purpose is to weave a cultural flare through my mahi and remain committed to values of diversity and inclusion.
Ngā Uara Values
Aroha | Compassion
Welcoming every story with compassion, dignity and without judgment. My role is to honour who you are, where you’ve come from and the love and commitment you choose to celebrate.
Whanaungatanga | Relationships
Building relationships with people and their whānau at one of the most significant moments of their lives. I want to build genuine relationships and honour the connections we will all share throughout this journey.
Manaakitanga | Mana Enhancing
Caring for people with generosity and respect. I endeavour to make clients feel reassured and relaxed, every step of the way. This is your journey, and I have got your back, every step of the way!
Ngā Rōpū Ngaio Professional Organisations
Celebrants Aotearoa
I am a member of the Celebrants Association of New Zealand.
The Celebrants Association of New Zealand (CANZ) provides access to professional celebrants with a commitment to quality service, professional standards and ethics.
Taranaki Weddings
You can find me in the Taranaki Weddings directory.
Taranaki Weddings is your one stop shop for all your wedding needs and I am honoured to be in among some of Taranaki’s finest wedding vendors.
He Toronga Pakihi ki Taranaki
I am a member of the He Toronga Pakihi ki Taranaki.
The Taranaki Māori Business Network maintain strategic oversight of the Taranaki economy to identify opportunities, while actively promoting Māori business and facilitating strong connections between Māori enterprises and the wider business community.
