Te Arapo | New Plymouth, Taranaki

“I’m actually homeless at the moment, living at a homeless shelter in New Plymouth. I’ve been there for about eight days. Due to drug and alcohol abuse, I’m currently unable to see my kids, and I’m seeking help.

I have a business idea that I want to pursue. I’m studying business and management, looking to better myself, for my family and my friends. I’ve been through a lot with my family. I grew up in Rotorua with my nan. She raised me from about four until 13. I was born in Rotorua with my nan, and she passed away when I was 13. I ended up going to Waitakere College, because I had family up there. I got my Level 3 uni entrance, and then I got caught up in the wrong gangs, and started doing drugs and alcohol, and supplying. I moved to Wellington with my mum, and stayed there for about 18 months, and finished off my schooling. Then my sister moved to Waitara in New Plymouth, and I settled down there and started working. Everything was all good. I’ve got four kids, and at the moment, I’m homeless, and got a protection order on myself. I’m seeking help with drug and alcohol counselling. Ah, it’s been helpful with Tui Ora and I’m trying to find employment. My hope for the future is I want to be able to have my own business, run my own business, and get my kids back. Well, at least be able to see them and reconcile the relationships that I’ve maybe broken in the past. I want to be able to help people with things like people that are homeless. I want to get into maybe starting a City Mission for New Plymouth, and get in touch with tikanga Māori, do tikanga Māori programs. I’ve been studying with Te Wānanga Aotearoa. Kia ora, bro. Tēnā koe. 

My advice would just be, who cares about what anybody else says about you. Don’t look into bad influences. Say what you want to say, do what you want to do, and be whatever you want to be. It’s possible. Don’t let anyone get you down, you can achieve whatever you want to in life, if you pursue it well enough. What I’ve learned over the past few years is that you are the master of yourself. You can’t let other people put you down. You’ve got to do what you can to succeed, regardless of the situation. Don’t fall into bad habits, or bad influences. Got to say whatever you want to say, do whatever you want to do, and be whatever you want to be, really.”