View on Facebook

Far North REAP shared Humans of Kaitāia's post.

4 hours ago

Far North REAP

“I grew up with my grandparents until I was 10 in Whangārei. I loved being together with my nana and papa. They were from the old school - I didn’t know then how important it was for me now, to have spent time with them in my early years. Because the stuff I do now with my marae, hapū and iwi is mostly because of them - instilling in me the tangata whenuatanga kaupapa. My grandfather had asked for my mum to move home, to make that change of urbanisation back to ruralisation. That instilled in us a place and sense of belonging, and made us understand and love home more. It was not just a holiday place, but a place you can actually live. So he reversed the urbanization movement for us as a whānau.

I moved back to Hokianga with my mum, who was a solo mother. I am forever grateful for the unconditional love and guidance from my mother. Moving home was really where I learnt about who I was as Māori, and where my place was in the world in terms of haukāinga. I carried on to Auckland in my late teens and early 20s. I wasn’t brought up with my dad, but found out later on that I was from Ngāti Whātua ki Ōrākei. It wasn’t until my late twenties that I found out who I really was on my dad’s side. I’m part of the Hawke whānau from Bastion Point. My great grandmother lived in a village at Ōkahu Bay. Many years ago it was burnt down, and she relocated to the Kaipara Harbour. I also found out that I had four brothers who I love dearly. It was a bit of a journey to find out who I really was, as I had only been raised on my mum’s side.

I am a mother of two tamariki, a person that’s passionate about te reo Māori, and inspiring kids to be their better selves. I love helping kids to ignite the passion within them for whatever they want to do. I like to do this through the use of performing arts, kapa haka, music, drama, te reo Māori and the taiao (environment). I love doing projects with my community. I can’t wait to see te reo Māori being normalised in everyday conversation within Te Hiku. Not just te reo Māori, but also te reo me ōna tikanga. Everytime I drive for an hour or so I come out with a bigger idea on how to help a certain kaupapa. My main focus is to try and tend to the needs of what teachers and families want. So my biggest struggle right now is to redefine all my big thoughts and ideas into a manageable activity or task.

What matters to me the most is my whānau and friends. Without my family, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Going through PTSD and experiencing domestic violence in the past has been a thing that I’ve had to really try to overcome. As part of my healing I went back to kapa haka - that’s my cup filler; it resonates with my heart. I think that being in competitive kapa haka is a great tool to help us strive to be the best that we can be as a team. I love how kapa haka is a vehicle to learn te reo Māori, local history and tikanga of the waiata we sing. But the biggest thing I love is the whakawhanaungatanga and manaaki of each other.” - Selena Bercic ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
·Share

Far North REAP

11 hours ago

Far North REAP

Photo

View on Facebook
·Share

Far North REAP updated their profile picture.

13 hours ago

Far North REAP

Photo

View on Facebook
·Share

Far North REAP updated their cover photo.

13 hours ago

Far North REAP

Photo

View on Facebook
·Share

Far North REAP

2 days ago

Far North REAP

Photo

View on Facebook
·Share

FAR NORTH REAP

PROMOTIONAL VIDEO

UPCOMING FAR NORTH REAP AND COMMUNITY EVENTS

Exciting courses, initiatives and programmes coming to our region. Check out our Events Calendar for more information or subscribe to recieve our Newsletter.

 

GO TO EVENTS

january, 2019

No Events

DID YOU KNOW…?

We are a Driver Licensing Centre?

We are an agent for AA Vehicle and Drivers Licensing. Our staff are able to assist you with a range of vehicle licensing such as:

  • Vehicle and trailer registration
  • Road user charges
  • Change of vehicle ownership
  • Issue of new plates
  • Cancel registration

We are also on Facebook?

Find us at Far North REAP on Facebook for more information, comments and photos

Our staff are here to help with writing a CV?

Phone us or come into reception to book an appointment or speak to one of our staff

We deliver Road Safety Education programmes?

Road Safety Education programmes and campaigns are delivered in the areas of: Fatigue and Distraction, Reducing Alcohol and Drug Impaired Driving, All passenger restraints, Young Drivers, Safer Speeds and Road Safety Education in Schools

Our Purpose

Hei whakamanahia i ngā whānau kia tutuki i ō rātou tumanako me ō rātou wawata mai te whaariki akoranga.
To empower communities to achieve their dreams and aspirations through lifelong learning.

Our Mission

Kia tika tonu ō mātou whakaakoranga hei arahi pai mō ō mātou nei hapori o Te Hiku-o-te-ika-ā-Māui.
To strive for excellence in the provision of quality learning opportunities for Far North Communities.

Our Vision

Ka ako kia ora, ka ora kia ako
Learning to live, living to learn

Our Values

Tika
Doing things right, being open, accountable and transparent
Pono
Act with dignity, honesty and integrity
Aroha
Treating people with love and respect.