Haare Kutia

Kia ora koutou everyone, my name is Haare Kutia. I am of Māori and European descent, and I’ve been a proud Glen Innes resident for most of my life. I am a mother to a 12 year-old boy, and a Fiance. I’m in the last year of my social work degree and have a great passion for community and healthy relationships. I love a good karaoke night (just saying), and I also like swimming down at Pt. England Beach (best beach BTW).

I’m a HEART Movement Change Agent, I get involved with the trainings as well as the events in the community. I first heard about The HEART Movement a few years ago when Tāmaki Community Development Trust (TCDT) turned 25 years old, where I was one of the MCs for the event. The HEART Movement came to support TCDT with their birthday celebrations. From then on I had a little understanding of what The HEART Movement does in the community. As time went on I found out more about HEART’s kaupapa, and I was then asked to become a HEART Change Agent.

What I really love about the HEART Movement is that it pushes positive relationships, pushes whakawhanaungatanga, pushes genuinely healthy relationships, and pushes for safe spaces for our women and men. I love that with HEART, I have something positive I can be associated with.

This may not be a fun fact for other people’s ear, but I have the LOUDEST cackle. It’s quite distinctive, and you could hear my cackle from house to Pt. England Reserve. You’ll hear me before you see me. But when you see me, it’s a vibe, it’s fun. Actually tonight when I was doing the rounds driving my girl’s group, I was cackling all over GI with the windows down. I guess it just means I know how to have fun.

Stay authentic. Engage with your neighbours and prioritize your time for the people who matter. Words matter, and don’t be afraid to be yourself. Like Maya Angelou says, “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”