Aria Ngarimu | McCall MacBain Foundation

(Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Ngāti Porou, Rongomaiwahine (Te Māhia), Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa)

Master of Laws 

Ko Kokai te maunga Ko Hotohoto te awa Ko Whareponga te marae Kokai is the mountain Hotohoto is the river Whareponga is the marae Kia ora koutou. Ko Aria Ngarimu tōku ingoa. Ki te taha o toku Pāpā, nō Te Tairāwhiti ahau (he wiwi, he Naati, he whanokē!). Ki te taha o toku Māmā, nō Aerani ōku tīpuna. Otirā, i tipu ake ahau i raro i te maru o Whitireia rāua ko Rangituhi. Me mihi ka tika ki a rātou e pūpuri ana i te mana o Parirua, he whenua haumako, nō reira, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, tēnā koutou.

Greetings! My name is Aria Ngarimu. On my father’s side, I am from the East Coast. On my mother’s side, my ancestors are from Ireland. But I grew up under the shelter of Whitireia and Rangituhi. It is right to recognise those who hold mana whenua over the rich and fertile lands of Parirua, therefore I acknowledge Ngāti Toa Rangatira.

Ko taku whakapono, nō te kūaretanga me te pōhēhētanga ka puta mai te nuinga o te mamae o tēnei ao hurihuri. Nā tēnei kūaretanga, ka puta mai te āwangawanga – koinei te kai o ngā pūnaha pēhitanga kua whakatinanatia i ngā ture pēhitanga. Ko te wawata, ko te whai wāhi au ki te whakataki tonu i ngā mahi a rātou mā kua takoto kē te ara, arā, ki te wetewete i ēnei pūnaha me ēnei ture i runga anō i te ngākau aroha, kia mau tonu ai te mana o ngā tangata me te whenua. Ahakoa he mamae te ara nei i ētahi wā, mā te whakaiti i a tātou, te whai māramatanga, me te mahitahi, ka taea te whakaaweawea i tētahi ao pai ake.

It is my belief that much of the pain in this ever-changing world stems from ignorance and misunderstanding. From this ignorance comes fear – and this is the fuel of oppressive systems that give rise to oppressive laws. My hope is to take part and continue the work of those who have already laid the path to unpick these systems and dismantle these laws with empathy, while maintaining the mana of people and place. Although this process can be painful, through humility, the pursuit of enlightenment, and by working together, we can create a better world. 

Sponsor: McCall MacBain Foundation 

Mentor: Sharon Shea, MNZM

A senior leadership and governance professional with experience supporting organisations through complexity, change, and growth. Sharon has worked closely with executive leaders and boards to strengthen leadership capability, decision‑making, and organisational culture. She is committed to mentoring emerging leaders to lead with clarity and purpose.