What is something you’re proud of?

Mish | Tāmaki Makaurau

Mish reflects with pride on the younger generation embracing bold choices and new opportunities, and feels honoured to have helped make those paths possible.

“Watching what my sisters and brothers have done with their children and seeing what they’ve achieved and just showing that they have got a sense of adventure. To see that in another generation is just beautiful, and in some way thinking that I might have had a part in it – it just makes my heart warm.

I’ve got two real examples. One is my nephew, who is still in London taking the opportunity to become a writer. I mean, because it’s not something from our communities that you just jump off and say, ‘I’m going to do this.’ And then one other nephew who’s just moved to Melbourne – he’s just left so many things that are a constant and is starting something new. And I’m looking forward to the opportunity to be in a space to support him, if and when he might need it, because I’m closer than the rest of the family.

And my niece Jadey, coming to New Zealand and then Australia, and just flourishing. Watching a beautiful young lady turn into a magnificent woman is probably one of the things I’m most proud of. I think what I see in the younger generation is the fact that we may, as older people, have taken a responsibility and carved a better path – or broadened the path – more than our parents did for us. And I think our responsibility for each generation is to broaden that path, give more choices, and support them. And that helps me feel proud.

But I don’t think I’m proud of myself personally. I do what I do to get by. I’m proud of the ones that take the opportunities that may have happened because I may have caused some change – that I’m not even aware of.”