Kō Matawhaura te maunga, Kō Rotoiti-i-kite-ai-e-Īhenga te moana, Kō Te Arawa te waka
Kō Te Hiukura te marae, Kō Ngāti Hinekura,Ngāti Te Pikikotuku ngā hapū, Kō Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Rongomai, Ngāti Makino ngā iwi
Kō Mihikotukutuku-Maira Anne Lawson āhau
Kia ora koutou my name is Mihikotukutuku-Maira Anne Lawson engari most people know me as Mihi-Maira.I was born and raised in the small town of Dannevirke, where my journey into youth work began. As a rangatahi who needed extra support, I was fortunate to be surrounded by the caring and committed team at Tararua Community Youth Services—people who became like whānau to me. Their support deeply influenced my passion for youth development and helped shape the direction of my mahi.
Today, I’m proud to be part of the mentoring team at Taiohi Tūrama, walking alongside rangatahi and supporting them to grow into confident, capable versions of themselves.
If you see me around, feel free to say Kia ora—I’m always open to a kōrero and look forward to connecting.
To end my kōrero, I’d like to share a whakataukī that guides and inspires me:
“Ko te pae tawhiti, whāia kia tata. Ko te pae tata, whakamaua kia tīna.”
Seek out the distant horizons, and cherish those you reach.
