Now the Victoria alumna is an advocate for Māori women’s development and was one of 14 women invited to present at the Changing Faces Leadership seminar in Hawai’i earlier this year.
During the seminar she discussed a new collaborative initiative she’s exploring that’s dedicated to empowering kotiro Māori (young Māori women) and supporting them to be kaitiaki (guardian) of themselves, their whānau, culture and the environment.
Christina also supports wāhine Māori and their whānau through her role at indigenous financial institution, Māori Women’s Development Inc.
Christina’s work helping Māori women and their whānau start businesses and flourish through the organisation’s business education youth programmes resonates on a personal level. It’s an educational opportunity, she says, that she was fortunate enough to experience when she was in college.
“I love that my life has come full circle. The mahi (work) I’m doing with rangatahi feels like I’m giving my younger self a high-five. I feel like I’ve become that person a younger me needed when growing up.”
Christina (Te Rarawa, Ngāti Manawa, Ngāpuhi, Kuki Airani) grew up in a family of six in East Auckland. She was a high achiever at secondary school and had always shown an interest in business.
Studying Commerce at Victoria was an eye opener for Christina.
“When I was studying Māori business, we were learning about land confiscations, the impacts of colonialisation and the unbearable injustices Māori face.
“It propelled me to learn about my Māori culture. Growing up, I didn’t feel very connected to where I was from and I didn’t know who I was. I had to go on that journey to discover my whakapapa and history, and use that cultural reconnection as both my anchor and compass to make positive change.”
She’s currently facilitating two nationwide programmes aimed at developing business and entrepreneurial skills in talented young people.
“Through our Mai Biz and Te Wero Pakihi programmes, young Māori are learning skills that stay with them the rest of their life—things like how to pitch business ideas, leadership and unleashing their inner Māoripreneur”
Christina says developing economic potential of wāhine Māori and their whānau benefits the wider community.
“If we give support and resources to wāhine and rangatahi to unleash their creativity, they will always have in their mind and hearts, their whānau, hapū, iwi and all of Aotearoa.
“It’s really rewarding mahi because I’m helping to create opportunities that my younger, culturally disconnected self needed. By having this at the fore of my thoughts and actions, I not only serve my younger self (young wahine Māori), but I serve her friends, her whānau and her community.”