Mara Kopu - 2021

Tēnā tātou katoa,
Ko Mara tōku ingoa,
Ko Ngāti Pāoa, Ngaiterangi, Kuki Airani ngā iwi.
My whānau also whakapapa to Hvar, a beautiful country in Yugoslavia.
Born and bred in Tāmaki and resided in Manurewa in a few years growing up. I'm the Eldest of 7 children, I have 4 brothers and 2 sisters. I am also a Māmā of 6 beautiful taonga and also too many more. I come from a long line of wāhine toa.

I've been involved with the HEART Movement for over a year now as part of the team - I starting working as a Kaiwahina - Support staff, doing abit of everything and anything and as our team has expanded now have a specific role and that's Kaiwhakahaere Kaupapa - Acting Phase Lead. I absolutely LOVE IT!!

I love how The HEART Movement has moulded me into the person I am today, I've seen so much growth in my HEART journey through self discovery, adapting to change and growth, self love, self worth and not only being open minded but also understanding that everything isn't black or white anymore. My thinking about everything I have or do in my life has done a full 360 for the betterment of myself as a Māmā, friend, partner, daughter, family member and community member.

I also have found a passion for community work, I'm such an extra introvert so this is way out of my comfort zone and as much as I have been super uncomfortable with some situations I have been put in, my way of thinking now is that growth comes from those uncomfortable situations without them I wouldn't be able to change or grow.

A fun fact about me? I'm a sucker for kids movies - my favourite one is Pocahontas

One thing I have learn since being apart of HEART is - "Change can be both the most scariest thing or the most beautiful thing. In order to grow we need to be open to change. We no longer live in a world where things are black and white, we are surrounded by beautiful colours - Embrace both!!"