Azaleigha Kopu-Chan

Ko Ranginui kei runga
Ko Papatuanuku kei raro
Ko Nga tāngata kei waenganui
Tihei, Mauri Ora!

On my Māmā's side I whakapapa back to Ngāti Paoa, Ngaiterangi, Yugoslavia and Kuki Airani. On my Pāpā's side Ngāti Paoa, Ngāti Kuri, Te Aupouri and Chinese. Ko Azaleigha Kopu-Chan tōku ingoa.

Born and raised in Tāmaki, Azaleigha has been involved with HEART for over a year now. Azaleigha's mum is a member of the HEART team. Through mum's example, Azaleigha has grown to love the local community events held most weekends in her community and has been pushed outside her comfort zone plenty times for all the right reasons. She loves to help out at community events and just to name a few she got to help out with, Weet-Bix Kids TRYATHLON and Party in the Park.

Azaleigha is such a bright young woman who plays the role of big sister to her younger siblings. She is the eldest of 6. She also has an important role in school as the head girl in her class Te Puna Wairua at Tāmaki Primary. Azaleigha absolutely loves Kapa Haka and her favourite subject in school is writing, and Te Reo Rangatira. This will be her 3rd year doing Kapa Haka with her roopu Te Mura o Tāmaki. She is currently in preparation for the Tāmaki Makaurau Regionals Competition! Very impressive! Her most memorable performance was the very first performance she did, 2019 Te Kōtuku Festival held at Ruapotaka Marae. Azaleigha loves performing on stage and takes pride in her culture, WAHINE TOA.

Her favourite food is McDonald's and in her spare time, she enjoys going for walks, and Tik Tok entertainment.

Azaleigha's words of advice,

"Kaua e mate wheke, mate ururoa" Don't die like the octopus (the one that gives up), die like a shark (the one that keeps fighting).