Angela | Northcote
“I grew up in South Auckland, Ōtara, by a single mum and raised mainly on the Marae; Whaiora Marae. Kia ora Whaiora. From my experience growing up there, the most important thing is family, culture, identity.
I was home-schooled on that Marae from nine years old until college, and as many of us did, we all went to boarding schools. The girls went to St Josephs, and the boys came out here to Hato Petera College. Coming out to Hato Petera galas that used to be here they were the highlight of the year for Catholic Māori communities. It was my first introduction to Northcote. I really enjoy Northcote now, it’s a good community. Lot of Asian people here, and they’re really business and work orientated, and then a lot of Pacific Island and Māori people around here, been here for generations. I love the place, it’s like how Ōtara used to be.
Last time I felt thankful or grateful was when my boys both got in the same team for North Harbour basketball, they play basketball for North Harbour all the time. I’ve got a 15 year old who’s won several national titles, and his younger brother has just turned 14. He’s been training to play basketball. Hasn’t had as many opportunities as his brother, but at the moment they both represent the junior and senior premiere’s at Rosmini College, and the North Harbour under 17/18.
The main virtue, or value, that I grew up with was humility, and since my son started playing basketball at 11 years old, for Northcote Intermediate, that was their main value that was instilled in him, by me, by his family, by his coaches, and he remains humble. I hope they stay humble, and a lot of people around in Northcote and in North Shore are humble people. So I think that’s one of the main values that my family have experienced and hopefully practice, and will continue to practice.
It’s a wonderful environment here in Northcote. The people are caring, look out for one another. We have a few kids who’ve found it hard through colleges, so hopefully my sons help them, and they remain friends with them. It’s the same with the adults; there’s not much discrimination at all that I’ve experienced here on the North Shore, in the communities. So I’d say that humility is something that I really enjoy here on the North Shore and in Auckland.
I’m very proud of the community that have supported my sons, especially the Pompallier family and the Rosmini community. I’m very proud to speak about their achievements and the hard work ethic that they’re encouraged to follow here on the North Shore. It’s a wonderful community for sports and for young people and they have wonderful schools. I love Rosmini College.
I hope my sons achieve their dreams. My eldest boy, his dream is to play in America, to apply for a scholarship to study there, and play for a university there. He’s well on his way, so next year he’ll be in sixth form, or Year 12, and we’ll be more active in submitting his applications. The younger brother wants to follow suit, so my dream is that my sons reach their goals.
For myself, I hope to do everything I need to do as a single parent, to get them there. I only have a few years with them, so I’m enjoying every moment, while they’re still home, with them. It’s hard thinking of them going to America, but my 15 year old, Reihana Maxwell, it’ll be his third year playing for New Zealand next year, he’s also played in Australia. He’s a very independent boy, trains three mornings a week with the Breakers Lead Development Academy, and then other mornings or afternoons he trains for Rosmini Senior Premieres. They won the championship this year, both teams; North Harbour and Rosmini Seniors.
He’s a very independent boy. If he goes to America, I will be remaining in New Zealand with his younger brother, and hopefully his younger brother will go to America. If he does, that’ll be the youngest of seven children I’ve raised mainly on my own. I’ll probably go with my baby to America and make sure they settle in okay there before I come away from them. I don’t like to be a helicopter and hover over my children, I’ll be there just to make sure that the same community we have in Auckland is around them in America or wherever they decide to play.”
