What has whānau taught you?

Devontay (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Hine, Tainui)
Tāmaki Makaurau

Devontay has learned values of love and to be proud of his identity from his family. It was these values that allowed him to find strength when he was taken into state care. 

“No matter where I go, no matter where I am in life, I’m always planted in one root so I know where I’m from. I’m proud to be Māori, proud to be Sāmoan and I know myself.

What my whanau has taught me are values like honour and respect. Taught me how to love, how to be proud of my culture, be proud of my identity and just be who I am. 

Back then I don’t think it was called OT, Oranga Tamariki. I think it was called – oh, so how I remember it is CYPHS. So, I’ve experienced that, being taken from CYPHS and it’s just all in your mind. Some rangatahi, when they get taken by OT, they can either take it in a good way or a bad way.

So for me, how I stayed on track were the teachings that were taught to me when I was younger. Even though I got separated, the teachings still stayed with me. 

Family is like a branch on a tree: they may grow in different areas but they’re all on one root so no matter where you go, you’ve always got family.”