Laukau - This is Aotearoa

Laukau | Māngere, Auckland

“I think it was the time when the Christchurch attack happened; and during that time, the Muslim community was going through such heartache and pain.

And during that time, I was studying, and there was a day where they allowed us to wear their cultural-wear over our heads, in show of support, and I think it was during that time, I saw a lot of students at AUT who were doing the same, and it really brought like a connection.

Of course, we can’t take way the loss of their families and their heartache, but just showing that form of support through their cultural-wear just showed them that we were in support of whatever they were going through even though we could not personally feel what they were going through, but just letting them know as a sign and a symbol that we’re here for them. That connection is just, it’s just a reminder. It doesn’t matter, you know, what race, religion, colour we are. We’re all still human, and just to remember that humanity is more important than…that it’s the main thing that’s most important, is remembering the value of people is the essence of it all. Remembering people for who they are, and the value – just the value of a life.

I’ve been here in Māngere for about 20 years. I am Tongan, and my roots are from there. My parents, grandparents, and one thing that I’ve grown connected to whilst growing up is that Pacific, the Tongan culture and tradition, remembering our roots, and just remembering who we are, and the essence of who we are. And so for me, that’s something that’s really instilled within me, is knowing who I am, where I come from. We come from a little village in Tonga, Nukunuku and also my grandparents from Kolomotu’a and it’s just remembering their sacrifices.

My parents moved here like 30 years ago, with absolutely nothing, and they worked. Sorry. You know they’ve worked a very hard, and it’s not just my parents. It’s a lot of our Pacific parents out there who have migrated here for a better life for the future generation, and so that’s really what keeps me going, is the people, ensuring that they, I guess, reach their potential, and they have the same opportunities.”

What, if anything, have you done differently after visiting this site?

Bruce

Bruce

Bruce | Maungatapere, Gisborne - ""I worked in a place called Nauru. Nauru was the offshore processing centre for all the refugees trying to seek asylum. I have seen no real difference in our cultures and how we engage with each other and how we do things, physically and spiritually."
Marge

Marge

Marge | Māngere, Auckland - "Ia tau ka kite au i ngā tamariki rerekē, i ngā tamariki haututū, ngā tamariki pai. Ko ngā tamariki tino rata ana ki a au ko ngā tamariki haututū. Koinei ngā tamariki kaha ki te kōrero me te mea hoki he auahatanga rerekē tā rātou. Every year I see different kids, cheeky kids, good kids. The children I really like are the cheeky ones. They’re the ones who are very verbal and they are creatively unique."
Ralph

Ralph

Ralph | Kaitī, Gisborne - "I’m meeting a lot of people who are different to me, but because of my background, I can relate to many of them, because the thing we share in common is that I’m very Māori, but I look like this, because my father wore a kilt. My mother wore a piupiu."
Ivor

Ivor

Ivor | Ōpōtiki, Bay of Plenty - "Life is all about understanding different perspectives. That’s one way of growing, is walking in another person’s shoes, and trying to understand their circumstances, their life, and why they are the particular way they are."
Al

Al

Al | Te Hāpara, Gisborne - "I think it shows that it doesn’t matter what walk of life we come from, all different diversities, everyone has something to offer, and if you’re willing to, to listen, you can learn."
Benn

Benn

Benn | Blenheim, Marlborough - "They’re different mates. They all do different things, and they always go out partying and things like that. When it’s a party I don’t even know about, then I get to go, too and that’s awesome."
Pera

Pera

Pera | Elgin, Gisborne - "One of the things that I’m passionate about is the music industry in Gisborne, East Coast, Tairāwhiti there’s so much talent, and so many artists, that it’s amazing to see the creativity, the positivity and everything that comes out of the music industry."
Tipene

Tipene

Tipene | Te Kaha, Bay of Plenty - "We’re on a continual learning trip, that’s the journey all our lives. We never stop learning, but it’s connecting with people and finding out what forms their worldview. What makes them think, what makes them tick."
Keri

Keri

Keri | Māngere, Auckland - "When you then spend immersive time in other environments, you kind of get to understand what it’s like to not be in the majority which I think is pretty healthy, to not always be comfortable."
Laukau

Laukau

Laukau | Māngere, Auckland - "It was the time when the Christchurch attack happened; the Muslim community was going through such heartache and pain. There was a day where they allowed us to wear their cultural-wear over our heads, in show of support, and it really brought like a connection."

Laukau | Māngere, Auckland

“I think it was the time when the Christchurch attack happened; and during that time, the Muslim community was going through such heartache and pain.

What, if anything, have you done differently after visiting this site?

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