Future NRLW Star: Tainui Haka Intern Journey
Marewa is the latest pouwhirinaki to enter our internship programme - an initiative made possible through our enduring partnership with Waikato-Tainui. This collaboration continues to provide vital pathways for our people to grow and lead within a world of business and creative arts.
We recently sat down with Marewa to discuss her journey so far. Her insights offer a powerful look into the impact of this mahi and the future of Te Whare Haka o Tainui.
For Marewa, education has always been a journey of integration. From her early years in Kohanga Reo and Kura Kaupapa to her transition into mainstream schooling and eventually Whare Wānanga, her world was shaped by the blending of distinct environments. By applying the foundational values of te ao Māori to the academic frameworks of high school and university, she has crafted a personal journey and a moral compass that guide her to this day.
The shift into professional mahi at Te Whare Haka o Tainui represented a leap into the unfamiliar for Marewa. It was the pivotal moment where the academic theories she gathered as a business student at Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato met the practical heat of real-world application. Moving from the classroom to the office and from textbooks to business cases required a significant shift in mindset, as she traded self-managed study sessions for the structured, calendar-driven demands of a professional environment.
Her experiences could be described as a "rhythmic buzz" - a fast-paced atmosphere that requires constant adaptability. Whether she is tackling the analytical challenges of building a business case or being creative with marketing campaigns, Marewa is perpetually bridging the gap between university theory and operational reality. Through this work, she has come to view graphic design and social media management not merely as technical tasks, but as vital tools for forwarding strategic objectives that protect and promote the brand identity of Te Whare Haka o Tainui.
Marewa believes that for this mahi to thrive, it must embrace an innovative, rangatahi-centric approach. She brings a fresh lens and digital fluency to her work, driven by a desire to do things differently. However, she remains acutely aware that her innovation is only as strong as its foundation. She is guided by the profound experience and mātauranga of the leaders who have walked the path before her, firmly believing that professional administration and cultural excellence are two sides of the same coin, both essential for creating a lasting impact.
Looking ahead, Marewa’s aspirations are rooted in the goal of remaining a student of her craft. She seeks to absorb every lesson the mahi offers, sharpening her technical skills while deepening her overall understanding of the field. Her journey is not a solitary one; she strives to gain this experience to benefit her whānau and her people. Whether in the office, on the stage, or in the community, Marewa aims to be a vessel for progress, bridging traditional values with modern business practices to honor the past and secure a prosperous future for the generations to follow.
