Ko Mauao me Moehau ngā maunga
Ko Te Awanui, ko Waihou me Tikapa ngā moana
Ko Mātaatua me Tainui ngā waka
Ko Toroa me Marutūāhu ngā tūpuna
Ko Ngāi Te Rangi me Ngāti Tamaterā ngā iwi
Ko Ngāi Tūwhiwhia, ko Ngāti Tauaiti, ko Ngāi Tamawhariua me Ngāti Pinenga ngā hapū
Ko Opureora, ko Te Rereatukāhia me Te Pai-o-Hauraki ngā marae
Ko Anaru ahau
Tihei mauri ora
Kia tau te rangimārie i runga i tātou katoa. Peace be upon us all no matter who you are or where you are at this time.
Born and raised in Tauranga Moana, Anaru (AJ) is a student at the University of Waikato studying towards a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree, double majoring in Māori and Indigenous Studies and Political Science.
He attended Tauranga Boys’ College and Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. He also contributes to Ngāi Te Rangi Iwi by supporting initiatives such as Te Rangi Hou and Te Iringa Kōrero.
He says home is where the heart is to be true in that Tauranga Moana is where he feels most grounded, both by the community and the abundance of opportunities he has been given.
He first connected with SociaLink last year during lockdown, and though it has been rather challenging he feels valued by the team as an intern while pursuing university studies and balancing numerous commitments.
He wants to contribute and approach all SociaLink does with an open mind to increase his own knowledge on the social sector and its impact on wider society.
“I consider my time with SociaLink as an integral stepping stone in my journey, of better appreciating the potential that these types of spaces can have on the community around us. I also see immense potential this space can bring for me and my desire to further contribute to my iwi and hapū.”