Cush | Ōtāhuhu

“My first name is Cushla, and I’m from the Far North, Kaitaia. So, my home in Auckland currently is in Ōtāhuhu. Okay, generosity. Well, I’ve just returned from a two-week holiday in Tonga, and my generosity was being patient in line.

I was booked to fly on Air New Zealand, but none of the self-service hubs to checking in were going, and there were lots of people lining up and I could see their frustration, and so I helped the elderly that were finding it frustrating to check-in, I assisted a few of them that were flying on the same flight as me.

Being in Tonga at one of the villages in Liahona. We were showered with love from the Liahona members. The LDS members are over there in Nuku’alofa. They showered us with fresh leis, that the young adults who are aged from 18 to 25 [had made]. They showered us with fresh leis, and also fresh coconut juice, too once we had arrived. There was about 96 of us that were there, and it was just lovely, the feeling. I think as a people, we should show love and kindness to all people.  I think here in New Zealand it demonstrates who we are, and I think our Creator, our Heavenly Father will expect us to show charity and be compassionate for others. Why? I think He’s demonstrated. He’s given to us life, so that we can be here to be happy, but to learn in peace and harmony with each other.

So, I grew up as a child out West Auckland, in Henderson, and my mum’s father passed away, and they’re from up North, just out of Kaikohe, and my mum comes from a valley in Awarua, and my dad is from Kaitāia. So, when my grandfather died, and I was a teenager, we grew up in the country. We left our beautiful home in Henderson and we returned to our humble home, a two-bedroom shack, with newspaper on the walls, and we were raised, and I was thankful for that upbringing because you know, we went to school. We didn’t have much, but we learned how to do gardens after school, and then we went holidaying where my dad is from. When I had my children, I moved to Kāitaia, and got to know my dad’s family and the area. I lived up there and then I moved overseas to Sydney with my children, and now I’m here living in Auckland. I’ve only been here for a year, and of all places, Ōtāhuhu but I’m enjoying Auckland. 

Make the most of life and be happy, and be generous. Think of others first, before yourself, and you will be a better and happier person.”