Theresa Tiori Rongonui, Workforce Development Lead at Skills, Talks Success
I’d name my autobiography…
A HUNDY OR NOTHING….
To me success means…
whānau/ community wellbeing – our babies being raised in healthy, happy homes; our young people walking with their heads held high and chest puffed out; our pākeke/adults in jobs that fill their heart and mind; and our kaumātua actively living out their golden years!
Best advice I’ve been given…
Go hard T!
I can still hear my Dad sitting courtside, yelling from the top of his lungs!
I made my first dollar:
Behind the counter at Thackery Dairy when I was about 8.
Mum and Dad bought a dairy and I had a shift before I could even see over the counter! No money ever came my way, but I learnt so much about work ethic, resilience and the good feels knowing I was helping out the whānau!
The most rewarding part of my job…
So many rewards from my mahi! Meeting awesome people, working for a company that really cares about me, keeping my mind ticking with new challenges. However, without a doubt, the most rewarding part of my job is making a difference for our communities. That’ll keep me going into old age!
Life motto:
Whaia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuohu koe me he maunga. Strive for absolute greatness. If you fall, let it be to a lofty mountain.
The women who inspire me:
My whakapapa is filled with inspirational women, from Wairaka who stood at the helm of the Mataatua waka and chanted ‘ka whakatane au i ahau’ to my Nana – Sietsche Martens- who courageously made her way to Aotearoa from The Netherlands after World War II.
My sister’s ability to always see the positive inspires and teaches me. And equally, when I look to our daughters, I’m inspired by a new breed of women coming through!
Gender diversity in the workplace is…
as important as ethnic, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious, socioeconomic status and disability diversity.
Being exposed to diversity of thought in the workplace helps us adults to catch up to the rich learnings that our kids are having in school. And as a result, we create communities that celebrate understanding and empathy.
I advocate for change by…
Being a big mouth! Anyone who knows me, knows I’m not the quietest person. Hello Shaniquah! I’m especially not quiet when it comes to being a voice for people who aren’t as loud as me and who have needs greater than mine.
