Photo Credit: Leith Robertson Photography
Ko wai au? About me
Kaiwhaiki Marae, Whanganui
Ko Maungamimi, Putauaki me Ruapehu ngā Maunga
Ko Pupuke, Rangitaiki me Whanganui ngā Awa
Ko Mataatua me Aotea ngā Waka
Ko Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa, Ngāti Awa me Te Atihaunui ā Paparangi ngā Iwi
Ko Ngāti Pakahi, Ngai Taiwhakaea me Nga Pāerangi ngā Hapū
Ko Te Huia, Te Tahaawai, Te Paroa me Kaiwhaiki ngā Marae
Ko Rose Haskell tōku Ingoa
Te Paroa Marae, Whakatane
Photo Credit: Leith Robertson Photography
I have lived in New Plymouth, in the Taranaki Region of Aotearoa New Zealand since 2010. I have two sweet young daughters – Zarnie, born in 2012 and Evanee, born in 2014.
As well as bringing up my two little girls, I am 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 was born in Whakatane and have moved all around the Bay of Plenty and Waikato with family who worked in the Dairy Farming Industry. We settled in the Eastern Bay township of Otakiri/Edgecumbe where I attended Edgecumbe College.
I 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.
I have two brothers and two sisters: Ela, born in 1991; Joel & Aidan, twins, born in 2002 and Breanah, born in 2005. I have two sweet little nieces – Peyton, born in 2010 and McKenna (affectionately known as Mickey), born in 2013. My sister and I had the three younger girls, Zarnie, Mickey and Evanee 10 months apart respectively – how’s that for timing?
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 been an amazing journey, learning my pepeha to find that I have connections to Te Tai Tokerau, Waiariki and Te Awa Tipua. Everything that’s written and translated on my website is what I’ve tried to piece together from Wananga and Te Aka. If it’s not quite right, hei aha – it’s all part of my practice!
I love watching my two tamariki play sports. I love Saturday walks and catchups with my bestie, Aunty Tezzles and Sunday kaitahi with my other bestie, Taja.
It’s a pretty meke life, e Hoa mā. I’m sure the ending is not in sight hehe!
Mai i te awa, ki te moana. Free Palestine.
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 te tāngata ahakoa ko wai. Ka whiriwhiri ahau i ngā tikanga ahurea, ka ū 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
Rangapū (Partnership)
Partnership is a huge core value of my pākihi. Our journey is all about working together to make your ceremony 100% you!
Ngākau Tūwhera (Open Mindedness)
I embark on this journey with my couples with no bias. Anything I say is based on experience and evidence, and never my personal opinion. I am open to the views of those I’m working for, and always receptive to learning!
Manaakitanga (Mana Enhancing)
I navigate the journey with my clients, with a smile upon my face. 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.
Glitter Squad Celebrants
I am a member of the The Glitter Squad!
This lot are a nationwide collective of young-at-heart Celebrants keen to celebrate your wedding the way you want to. No more boring, bland, beige ceremonies that put your guests to sleep. Let us help you celebrate your love!
