An interview with the newly appointed Raukawa Youth Service manager Jade Hohaia on her role, passion for youth development and personal dreams and aspirations.
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| Jade Hohaia. Photo: Supplied. |
What is your connection to Raukawa?
“My dad (Lamen Hohaia) who was born and raised on a farm in Putaruru is of Raukawa descent. We whakapapa back to Whakaaratamati Marae. I’ve spent most of my life living in Christchurch, but it’s awesome to come back home and work for my people.”
How did you get into working with young people?
“I’ve worked in various sectors of society in youth advocacy and youth development roles but my first taste of youth work was in Colombia, South America where I was exposed to issues of severe social justice where young people were suffering. From there on in I was just determined to encourage and support young people on their journeys in life and around dream realisation.
You talk a lot about dreams and youth aspirations is this a particular interest area for you?
“yes it is. I used to work as the Maori Liaison officer for the University of Canterbury and in my role I would address assemblies and speak to hundreds of young people from all over Aotearoa about post-high school options. It concerned me that despite being talented and full of potential, many of the young people I came in contact with had no idea what they wanted to do. Our youth need to have goals in mind (something to aim for), life aspirations, but even more importantly I think, is the acquisition of dreams. Dreams aren’t just about great jobs, dreams are about being daring, innovative, adventurous and chasing after those moments in life when you can say “I was born to do this”. Dreams speak of extending ourselves, pushing the limits, new experiences and the promise of a better future. Every young person deserves the right to be able to dream and to chase theirs dreams till they’re realised. Our job as mentors, big sisters, uncles, parents or grandaparents is to encourage them, to role-model, to point out potential pathways and to be their greatest fans! It’s amazing how much our kids long to make their loved ones proud of them.”
Who are the people in your life that have inspired you to be who you are today?
“My whanau are my greatest encouragers. My dad and mum (who is of Kai Tahu decent Kati Huirapa ki Puketeraki) are the people who helped shape my life. It’s said that ‘iron sharpens iron’, well, with them there was a lot of sharpening done, but in love. Some extensive research around the make-up of youth practitioners indicates that young people have said themselves that role-modelling from adults should include 3x things: assertiveness (so the young person knows the expectations), authenticity (being real and approachable) and warmth (being caring). I received all of these things from them and more- they’re amazing people!”
So what are some of the dreams you have for your life?
“Dreams don’t always live in the future, they live in the present as well. I feel incredibly blessed to be able to walk out my dreams right now in Tokoroa at Raukawa Charitable Trust. Every day I get to do what I love; advocating for our rangatahi and encouraging them to rise up and be all that they can be, working for my people and meeting with a variety of people who have a heart for grass-roots local community solutions to local, national and even global issues. It’s awesome! I never wanted just a job, i’ve got a career, but more than this, for me, it’s about living your dreams- this quite simply is my message to our youth.”
