21 June 2024

Kimiora Hawkins 

Ko Whakarara te maunga 

Ko Mātauri te moana 

Ko Te Tāpui te marae 

Ko Ngāpuhi te whare tūpuna 

Ko Ngāpuhi te iwi 

Ko Ngāti Kura te hapū 

Registered Nurse 

Graduate, Heke Reo Māori (Diploma in Te Reo Māori)

Current student of Poutuarongo Reo Māori (Bachelor of Te Reo Māori) 

Early Years and Family Background 

Kimiora Hawkins was born in Papakura, into a close-knit family. She is the only girl among her five brothers. Their upbringing in Manurewa was rooted in Christian values, with regular church attendance. Her parents, who met through the Māori Trade Training programmes, abstained from alcohol, and her brothers were protective of her. 

The Māori Trade Training programmes, established in the 1950s and continuing into the early 1980s, were a collaborative effort between technical colleges, the Department of Māori Affairs, and churches. These programmes served as precursors to trade apprenticeships, equipping trainees with valuable skills attractive to employers. 

Challenges at James Cook High School 

Kimiora attended James Cook High School, but her experience there was less than ideal. She felt a sense of segregation, which made it an unhappy time for her. Despite these challenges, she persevered. 

Family and Whānau 

Kimiora’s husband, Marty Hawkins, is Ngāti Kahungunu and Kāi Tahu. Together, they have two children: Te Aroha, who recently moved to Perth, Australia, and Hohepa, serving in the New Zealand Royal Navy. Their children spent their formative years at Mātauri Bay with their grandmother. As teenagers, they continued their education at Te Aute College and Hukarere College. 

Nursing and Community Service 

At Mātauri Bay, Kimiora serves as a registered practice nurse. She works alongside GPs, providing a mobile service that reaches the local marae and supports whānau. Her love for this work intensified during the COVID lockdown, where her heavy workload allowed her to save for her next educational journey. 

Education and Cultural Immersion 

Kimiora’s commitment to her whānau and community led her to Te Wānanga o Raukawa. Inspired by her mother Judith, and by Anahera Pomare and Nau Epiha, former staff members from Mātauri Bay, she embarked on a journey of te reo Māori and learning. She has taken this time away from her home to study te reo Māori so that she will be more able to assist at her marae, particularly as a kaikaranga. Immersion classes at the wānanga have enhanced her fluency, and she now promotes Te Wānanga o Raukawa wherever she goes. The advice she gives to prospective students is “Nau mai, haere mai. You will not be disappointed. Enrol now. Don’t wait. Do it now! Toitū te mana Māori.” 

Legacy and Taonga 

Kimiora’s dedication extends beyond herself. She encourages her nieces and nephews to undertake similar studies, passing on her iwi and hapū papers. These documents have become cherished taonga for her whānau. Her role as a kaikaranga at the marae in her view is both a privilege and a continuation of her family’s legacy. 

Looking ahead 

Kimiora navigates the intersection of Karaitiana teachings and te ao Māori. In her words, “It feels right and natural”. Her plans are to return to her home at Mātauri Bay, to her work as a nurse, to serve at her marae and to be a positive role model in the community. 

Whaowhia te kete mātauranga 

If you would like to know more about the programmes offered by Te Wānanga o Raukawa, go to https://www.wananga.com/nga-akoranga