What does community mean to you?

Papa Rau | Tūranganui-a-Kiwa

Despite being separated from his Māori roots as a child, Papa Rau has grown into a role where he guides and supports others, turning challenges into opportunities to give back.

“My mother came from Tikitiki. My father came from Glasgow. Unfortunately, when I was five, they separated. I was whāngai (fostered) to my Scottish grandmother, who felt that it was best that I didn’t identify with my Māori background.

I was 16 before I learned of my whakapapa Māori (Māori lineage). It was pretty devastating actually, because for a long time, I knew something was wrong. I couldn’t speak Māori but every time I heard Māori mispronounced it hurt my taringa (ears). If ever there were Māori in the room, I’d always go there.

On reflection, the anger I felt was probably misplaced because, I think that they thought they were doing the right thing; they were immigrants. They didn’t think that identifying that I was Māori was going to be of value to me. I used to look in the mirror and say, ‘why do I look like this and feel like that?’ But as I grew older and being part of this community, Gisborne, that’s not too bad. Pākehā don’t realise there’s a Māori in their company so they aren’t very careful about what they say when I’m around.

I honestly do feel that I can relate to many of the young people that I deal with through places like Mana Tāne or Mauria Te Pono because I’ve been there myself.

I really do believe that for every raruraru (problem) there’s a huarahi (path) and that my kaupapa is to try and make every hōhā (nuisance) I come across, a koha (gift). Now that’s a pretty flippant way of saying it but I really believe that, if there are enough people who are concerned enough to assist those in need, those who have should be helping those in need.”