Saving to fulfil dreams
Tahua Pihema (Kāti Huirapa ki Puketeraki) recently received a book from her tāua, Raana Kerekere Tangira, called “The Young New Zealanders Guide to Entrepreneurship” by Dr Ian Hunter. The book contained an entry form for a competition run by Young Enterprise Trust. As part of entering the competition, Tahua had to write her personal goal and she provided the following:
“As a Year 9 student this year, I’m considering a number of different pathways, but whichever one I choose, my aspiration is to be the unequivocal best in that, or those fields.”
On the strength of this she won a prize in the competition, much to the delight of her parents, Joe and Huia Pihema (Ngāi Tahu). Ka wani kē Tahua.
Tahua, who lives with her whānau in Gisborne and attends Gisborne Girls High School, is also a winner with Whai Rawa; she will be getting her $200 matched savings in her Whai Rawa account, as her whānau have already contributed the $50 required for child members to get full matched savings.*
Tahua has a passion for kapa haka, dance and drama, and she is an avid reader. She is a keen netball player and recently trialled for the regional Māori netball team. Along with representing her school in Kī-o-rahi and touch rugby, she is also a medal-winning waka ama enthusiast and was well placed in the Tairawhiti Secondary Schools regional kapa haka competitions.
With a bright future ahead and given her love of science and maths, Tahua is considering studying radiography at Otago University once she has finished school. Her second choice, she says, would be to work in conservation. She is currently involved with a group of rangatahi who are working with the local council and the Department of Conservation in the restoration of Waihirere Domain in Gisborne. As part of the project, they are ridding the domain of plant and animal pests and planting more native trees and rongoā species to attract birdlife. They also hope to improve the water quality of the Waihirere Stream.
Law is also a possibility, as Tahua loves the idea of helping her people with the legal side of dealing with our kaupapa Māori – whenua, moana, tangata. All up, she is an excellent role model and her Whai Rawa savings are bound to come in handy as she works towards fulfilling her dreams.
Get your contributions in by 31 December to get your matched savings.
* Maximum matched savings $200 (inclusive of RSCT). Child members (under 16) need $50, adult members aged 16-64 need to save $200. Contact us for more details or for a copy of the new 2013 investment statement.
Tahua Pihema with her competition prize.
