He Pouwhirinaki: Hawaiki’s Internship Journey
When we launched the Te Whare Haka o Tainui pilot intern programme, we knew we wanted to create more than just a "job"—we wanted to build a bridge. Through the journey of our inaugural intern, Hawaiki Te Aho, we are seeing that bridge lead to new exciting horizons.
Beyond the Office Walls
For Hawaiki, no two days look the same. The "office" is sometimes a quiet space for strategy, but more often, it is a dynamic landscape of creativity. From the very beginning, Hawaiki has embraced the challenge of diving into the unfamiliar. Whether it’s mastering the rhythmic "buzz" of social media or navigating the complexities of project logistics, the goal has been clear: total adaptability.
A Modern Toolkit for a Traditional World
We’ve watched Hawaiki transform from a student of the craft into a digital storyteller. Through hands-on experience in Content Creation and MarComms, Hawaiki has been the engine behind some of our promotional reels and event graphics. But it’s not just about "looking good" online—it’s about the data, the scheduling, and the analysis that ensures our Tainui stories reach the right people in the right way.
The Heart of the Mahi: Event & Cultural Leadership
Hawaiki’s impact is felt deeply on the ground. From the fine details of merchandise design and procurement to the high-pressure environment of event management, Hawaiki has become a lynchpin in our operations.
Perhaps most inspiring is the bridge Hawaiki has built back to the floor of haka. By taking on the role of guest tutor for students at Tuakau College to help them prepare for the Tainui Secondary Schools Kapa Haka Competition, Hawaiki is proving that kapa haka excellence and professional administration are two sides of the same coin.
Looking to the Horizon
"I want to apply the skills I have developed in contexts outside of Te Whare Haka o Tainui," Hawaiki reflects in a recent journal entry. This proactive spirit—the willingness to embrace the "unfamiliar"—is exactly what this programme was designed to foster.
Hawaiki has progressed from the internship into a Junior Business Administrator contract with Puaingo, which marks his first step on a permanent career path. The pilot programme has, therefore, demonstrated its true value. We aren't just training an intern; we are empowering a versatile leader who is ready to thrive in any industry, from the office to the front lines of cultural education.
Te Whare Haka o Tainui continues the internship kaupapa with Marewa Samson, in partnership with Waikato-Tainui.
