On Monday, 5th September Ben Bentley, Nathan Hilliard, Te Ariki Maoate, Kyle Martin, Dillan Pillai and myself were asked to go to Click studios alongside the Media Design School in Rosebank Road. Schools from all over Tāmaki Makaurau were invited to an inspiring talk held at the Click studios building. It was a discussion looking at a journey towards technology. The company and the school are dedicated to aspiring young Māori and Pasifika students to look at career pathways in technology. Maruhaeremuri (Maru) Nihoniho the founder and managing director of Metia Interactive and is also the designer and developer of several video games such as ‘Sparx’, a mental awareness game that is based on Te Ao Māori called ‘Guardian Maia’. Another speaker was Nanai Tolovae Jr, a successful ex-student of Media Design. He worked for Weta Workshop on Avengers End Game. Both of these successful people have something in common. They both broke the stereotypes around Māori and Pasifika in the technology workplace. Maru and Nanai taught us that failing/giving up is normal and okay, however, it’s what you do after that is what matters. What stood out to me throughout these speeches is they didn’t sugar coat the struggle, they normalised it. It was a fun and eye opening experience.

I would like to thank Mr Talamaivao for taking us to this event.

Ka pai,

Kisharn Haupapa-Dunn 11HO & Ben Bentley 11GA