1. Where did you grow up?
I grew up in a few places around the Auckland area – starting with Mt Albert then over the bridge to Northcote with my Mum’s family until we found our house in the heart of South Auckland – Mangere. In saying that, I would consider Mangere to be my home that I grew up in. 275 HARD!
2. What school did you go to?
I am a proud past College Captain (Head Boy/Prefect) of De La Salle College, Mangere East.
3.What super power would you most like to have and why?
I would like the super-power of healing – the reason being that it would take away the physical, spiritual and mental pain that we give out and feel in this world. It would be cool for each person to live life, safely, free of any harm and at their greatest without having to worry about being sick due to disease, physical or mental challenges, close to dying and live life the way we are called to live it.
4. What brought you to Logos?
I was invited by the sister of an All Black (Kaisalina Mealamu – sister of Keven Mealamu) who promoted Logos at my local parish of St Therese, Mangere, after bible studies one Tuesday night. She invited me, my twin brother and our cousins to be a part of this new movement/initiative that was starting out and asked if we wanted to be a part of the Music Ministry team as we were practicing our acapella songs for our church youth group. This invitation was the catalyst for me being able to explore what this group of people were about; to express my passion for music; and facing my fears of doing something that was out of the ordinary with people that I’ve never met before.
5. What was the best advice you received as a young person?
1. “All that you have to do in this world, is what is right!” – Fr Denis O’Hagan sm
2. “Once you have found the job that you love, you will never have to work another day!” – Sio Laumatia (Former Logos Youth Minister & Youth Work Guru)
6.What advice would you give to your younger self?
The advice that I would give to my younger self is to “ensure that you don’t let the not so good things, people or situations in my life, take away from the goodness and potential that I have within me to be the greatest person that I can be! You are and will be great!”
7. What do you do to make sure you are being your best self?
What I try to do is to ensure that I make time to do things for myself that spark joy and give me life. This may include sport & exercise, physical chores like mowing the lawns, going out to eat some great food that I haven’t tried before, reading the newspaper and spending quality time with loved ones.
I feel that by allowing yourself to have this kind of ‘self care’ time is essential; especially when you are in a line of work that is very community focussed, helping & supporting others and that most of your time is utilised to grow and create spaces for others to be their best selves. Because of this, you are able to be more present & grounded in yourself to be an example for others.
