Playcentre Aotearoa recently announced the appointment of Shekinah Graham as the new Kaihononga Māori (Māori Relationship Worker) for Upper North Island.
This is a key role for the organisation and the region. Ms Graham took up her new position on 13th March. She will join the Kaihononga Māori Team and report directly to Erana Rattray (Kaiwhakahaere Hononga Māori).
Ms Graham was welcomed with a mihi whakatau at the Upper North Island (UNI) regional office by UNI regional staff, Erana Rattray, plus kaumatua Minita Warahi Paki and kuia whaea Lynda Paki. Everyone joined together to ensure that the mihi whakatau was rich in tikanga and welcoming energy. Playcentre Aotearoa would like to thank the kaumatua present for helping us to welcome Shekinah to the organisation.
Nau mai whakatau mai e te kaimahi whakahirahira haere mai i raro i te korowai aroha o Te Whānau Tupu Ngātahi o Aotearoa.
Introducing Shekinah
“Growing up I was raised in Kohanga, Kura Kaupapa and Wharekura. Until I was 18 my schooling and education was all taught in Te Reo Māori. I was so excited to apply for this role and am feeling very welcomed by the team in the UNI region and by all Playcentre members who I have met so far. My first week here has been awesome, I was lucky enough to visit one of our centres in West Auckland and it was my first time visiting and learning about Playcentre. I love the principals and values Playcentre stand by and its nice to see that those values and principles are upheld in the office, in centres and by all staff. I look forward to what Playcentre has to offer and am thrilled to be here with you all.”
Shekinah’s Pepeha
I te taha oo tooku Whaea
Ko Karioi raaua ko Mootakiora ngaa Maunga
Ko Whaingaroa te Moana
Ko Mangaookewa raaua ko Ohautira ngaa Awa
Ko Waikato raaua ko Ngaati Maniapoto ngaa Iwi
Ko Mai Uenuku Ki Te Whenua raatou ko Poihakena, ko Te Tokanganui a noho ngaa Marae
Ko Tamainupō raatou ko Ngaati Rora, ko Ngaati Tahinga ngaa Hapuu
I te taha oo tooku Matua
Ko Ruahine raaua ko Matauhipo ngaa Maunga
Ko Oroua raaua ko Waimarino ngaa Awa
Ko Tainui raaua ko Te Arawa ngaa Waka
Ko Ngaati Kauwhata raaua ko Ngaati Tuuwharetoa ngaa iwi
Ko Kauwhata raaua ko Korohe ngaa Marae
Ko Ngaati Hinepare raaua ko Ngaati HIne ngaa Hapuu
Ko Shekinah ahau. Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.
Photo: Shekinah with her Nan – Rangiwaeroa Kereopa. “She is my home and who I love to spend most of my spare time with.”
