Katerina Takawhaki Kerekere Coleman Youth Profile

Name: Katerina Takawhaki Kerekere Coleman

Age: Katerina is 20 years old and her tribal affiliations are Te Aitanga a Mahaki and Whakatohea. The Runanga first became involved with Katerina (Kat) as a High School student at Lytton. She was part of our mentoring project, He Ara Tika that Raana Kerekere-Tangira coordinates. He Ara Tika was part of a group of projects that Kiwa Education Partnership managed. Kiwa Education Partnership was a partnership between Te Runanga o Turanganui a Kiwa, Te Runanga o Ngati Porou, and a primary and secondary school representative. Kiwa Education Partnership disestablished in 2004. Raana and the manager of the Partnership Maringi Brown, moved over to Te Runanga o Turanganui a Kiwa in the year 2004. Kat spent the remainder of 2004 and the beginning of 2005 with the Runanga completing an internship with Maringi and Raana as the education arm of the Runanga became stronger. This internship was to support Kat prior to joining Foreign Affairs in Wellington for a longer internship.

 

Her foreign affairs internship came as a result of seeing the vacancy and tapping some networks and preparing Kat for the interview. It was a fast and furious lead up to the interview but the Runanga was ecstatic when she was successful. We saw from the beginning she was a natural ambassador for her family, her marae, hapu and iwi. 

 

We farewelled Kat at the beginning of 2005 and now in 2007 we are no less proud of her than we were four years ago. She is still with Foreign Affairs and has held fast to a wonderful set of values and virtues that make her a worthy youth ambassador and profile for Te Runanga o Turanganui a Kiwa. Below is a summary of key activities Kat has written.

-         Clerical Support Officer & Records Management International Security and Disarmament Division, Free Trade Asian and Malaysia Division, Free Trade China Division

-         Part Time Maori Performing Arts Teacher at Porirua College / Kapa Haka Tutor

Into my 2^nd year studies towards a BA in Matauranga Maori with Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi ki Poneke.

Being considered as a role model for our Runanga in Turanga is an achievement in itself!

 

My main barrier was fear of failing

I accepted that failing is a crucial part of growing. You learn more from failure then you do from success. It makes you that much wiser and that much more prepared for the next challenge.   

Whanau & friends - I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for them.

To help my younger brother & sisters succeed in everything they do.

My Nan – with every growling there was always a valuable lesson. She’s very wise & has always supported all her mokopuna no matter what.

Other role models I look up to are Ta Apirana Ngata, Te Kani Te Ua, Te Arikinui Te Ataairangi Kaahu and many more Maori leaders of the past. Their achievements & dreams opened doors for our people.  

To live & love life to the fullest without any regrets!

Follow your passion. Do what you love & be with people you love. You are capable to do & be more than you think so never limit or doubt yourself. Always challenge yourself to push even further & leap at every opportunity because I believe in never saying “Only if!”…      

I am very fortunate to be where I am at the moment. Never once do I take it for granted. I am thankful for all the support I receive from my whanau & friends. The strong support I received from Te Runanga o Turanganui a Kiwa. In particular, to ensure that I was well-prepared for my job here at MFAT, they gave me the opportunity to gain some work experience at Kiwa Education Partnership. I was also involved in their mentoring scheme He Ara Tika and currently, I am one of the chosen role models for the Kokiri Taiohi Programme. All these help shape the person I am today. They also highlight one aspect that I find important for all people to be involved in & that is doing as much as we can to help & encourage our rangatahi to strive for excellence.