Pharyn | Wiri

“My name’s Pharyn I’m 25, and I live in Wiri. So, me and my sister, we were walking back from town, and we see this this little boy, must have been like, I don’t know, six or seven, and he was crying down by the bus depot, and we asked him what was wrong, and he said, he was hungry.

So, we took him to the dairy just next to the bus terminal there and got him a pie and a drink, and he felt way better after that. No, we never ever saw him after that, but I hope he’s all good.

So, I was born in Whangārei. I’m the eldest of 10 siblings. Being Māori is really important to me, as a person, I guess, because growing up, I was raised by my grandparents, and they instilled in me a lot of the old-school values that are really lacking today, and I noticed that a lot of my generation, that a lot of us don’t really have that respect for our elders anymore. Like, that’s just gone. I don’t know where it’s gone, but it’s just gone, and it’s sad to see. 

My family first. My goals, where I want to be in life. I think it’s important because if people were more kind and if people had more generosity, things would be so much easier like, I don’t know. It’s hard to explain. I just think if people were much nicer to everyone, then the world would just be a better place.

So I’m studying fashion with Whitecliffe Fashion Tech. I’ve been studying since June. It’s been really good. I’ve actually just moved back from the South Island, here to Auckland after being away for six years, and re-connected with my family, and with the church, and everything’s really, really good. 

Just be kind. Be more kind. Just know that we don’t always know what that person’s going through, so don’t be so quick to judge, or turn the other cheek.”