Nau mai Leigh-leigh

It was awesome to welcome Leigh-leigh Wiremu to the team as our new Kaitūhono-a-Hapori (Community Connector) in Whakatū. Over to you Leigh-leigh ... 

Ko Taiarahia tōku maunga
Ko Ohinemataroa tōku awa
Ko Mātaatua tōku waka
Ko Ohotu rāua ko Otenuku ōku marae
Ko Ngai Tūhoe tōku iwi
Ko Ngāti koura tōku hapu
Ko Hone Haruru rāua ko Kararaina Dellow ōku Mātua
Ko Solomon tāku whaiaipo Ko Ariana ko Tatiana ko Elania ratou ko Leighlarney ko Aaliyah ko Solomon a māua tamariki āra ko Brittany tōku tamahine whangai
Nō Whakatāne tuturu engari e noho ana ki Whakatū Ko Leigh-Leigh ahau
 
I’m extremely happy and excited to be given this opportunity to be part of Te Kotahi o Te Tauihu Trust as one of the kaitūhono for Whakatū. I hail from the Bay of Plenty but was raised in Whakatū. My partner and I have 6/7 tamariki and have been blessed this year with two mokopuna.
 
As a young mama my tamariki were and are my world. My background experience was for them starting with kōhanga reo as a mātua then eventually been appointed as chairperson  - being in this role taught me a lot about having to deal with whānau, kaimahi, tikanga, te whāriki, hui, roles and responsibilities, policies, processes, etc. I was also on the establishment board for Te Kura kaupapa Māori o Tuia Te Matangi and also served on the board once it had been established.

My passion is sports and I’ve played and represented Whakatū in netball and softball and I’ve coached netball as well.

Now as my new chapter begins, I get to awhi whānau whanui for this wonderful rohe.

Ki te kore he whakakitenga ka ngaro te iwi.