Your occupation, job title, artistic discipline (or very brief description of what you do):
I am a weaver of raranga and a Māori toi artist. I’ve learned to create digital designs, paint murals, cut vinyl, weave kete and kākahu, and have just recently learned to create taonga pūoro (Māori instruments). I haven’t settled on one specific medium yet.

What cities/towns have you lived in (or spent more than a few months in), beginning with the place of your birth?
I was born in Pāwhārangi (Athenree), close to Waihi Beach and Ōtawhiwhi, and have lived in Mount Maunganui.

What’s your favourite Bay of Plenty landscape, park, building, location, suburb, or side street? Why?
Waihi Beach North End, sitting at the park table overlooking Tuhua. It’s a beautiful spot and a great place to have fish and chips.

What’s an average day in your life at present?
I don’t have an average day. One day I might be prepping mussel shells for my mentor for New Zealand Fashion Week, and the next day I might be designing logos. The rest of my time is usually spent taking part in and organising various kaupapa Māori. On Tuesdays, I have Te Reo Māori classes at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, and I fit in the gym when I can.

If you went away from the Bay of Plenty for a long time and then came back, what are the first three things you would do or visit?
I’d go home to see my whānau in Athenree, take my siblings to KFC in Waihi, then take them to Waihi Beach for catch-ups.

Looking back at your teenage self: what one sentence describes that person?
Unpredictable, moody and authentically herself.

What are you planning for 2026 that nobody knows about yet?
I’m collaborating with another Māori takatāpui artist, and we are organising and running a takatāpui-focused noho in October.

In one sentence, can you define creativity?
A series of many practices that bring your inner world into the physical world.

Where would you like to live, but have yet to?
Somewhere warm, in native bush next to a beautiful, running river with a swimming hole close by, with fruit trees and a vege garden, and somehow still be able to have Uber come to my door for the occasional takeaway.

What word of advice would you offer an aspiring creative person?
Always have a safe and secure variety of mentors who you can trust and depend on for advice, and who you can go to with the multiple challenges and questions that will come up in this life. Also have a safe and supportive friend group who lift you up, and make sure you return the favour. To put it simply, I say build your community and choose wisely who you keep.

What is your dream of happiness?
Being able to navigate every situation with unconditional love and kindness towards everyone, especially myself.