Fundraiser for Nikau Reti-Beazley's Expenses to attend UN Indigenous People's Forum in New York in April 2018

$2,618 donated

Given by 11 generous donors in 21 days

I created this page in support of my son's expenses to attend the UN Indigenous People's Forum in New York in April 2018.

Auckland

Kei āku rau rangatira, nei rā te mihi matakuikui ki a koutou katoa kua whai wā ki te tau i ō karu ki tēnei o ngā pānui. Mauri ora e te iwi!

My name is Nikau Reti-Beazley and with great fortune I have been granted a place in a group of 14 members representing our Māori people at the UN Indigenous People's Forum held in New York City in the coming weeks. The kaupapa is running under the tutelage and guidance of former New Zealander of the year Manukura Dr Lance O'Sullivan and members of The Moko Foundation.

This is a once in a life time opportunity that very few people get to experience. So to be amongst this select few is very humbling. I am grateful not only to those who considered me, but most of all to my whānau, my ahurumōwai, my haumaru, for moulding me into the young man that I am today. Ka kore te aroha e mutu.

Essentially the aim of our two week long haerenga is to:

1) Meet other indigenous peoples from around the world and discuss the issues that we face today.

2) Come up with potential stategies on how we can tackle these issues best.

3) Share knowledge, wisdom, and guidance; representing our own iwi Māori on the world stage.

4) Learn. Grow. Experience.

A tupuna of mine by the name of Te Ruki Kawiti, in a final oath to his people, urged them to look above and beyond the horizons of the sea; to aim far and high in the pursuit of purpose. To go on this trip is to do just that; to widen our perspectives on the world and the many wonders that it has to offer. Flights and accommodation have thankfully been covered already, however anything of a koha would be gladly appreciated. Ahakoa he iti he pounamu.

I am currently studying away from home at The University of Otago- doing First Year Health Sciences. My overriding goal is, by the conclusion of my studies, to graduate as either a GP or Dentist, move home to Te Tai Tokerau to give back to my people. Like my whanaunga who have already come through this pathway, I am passionate about the health and well-being of our people. So to work with our hapū and iwi in this magnitude would be a dream come true.

This is why I do what I do. Ko te mea nui o te ao ko te tangata, ko te aroha.

Noho ora mai tātou!

Leon Paraone-Beazley's involvement (page creator)

He Kororia Honore Hareruia ki a Ihoa o Nga Mano mo nga tini manakitanga! Ko Ngapuhi, Ngati-Hine, Ngati-Rangi aku iwi! Tihei Mauriora! I am Nikau Reti-Beazley's father and staunch supporter of all of his achievements throughout his life. From the time before his birth, when I prayed for his safe passage into Te Ao Marama, the world of light, to acceptance into the Inzone Education hostel in Epsom and Auckland Grammar School; and now currently attending Otago University.

I have always known that my Nikau will achieve great things in his life, but first and foremost I acknowledge the support of God Almighty in all that He has done for him and all that will be! Further, I acknowledge the unconditional support of Nikau's extended whanau, and that includes everyone who has been involved somewhere in his life, being his whanau and friends, whom he loves and cares for so much that has inspired him to pursue a career in either Medicine or Dentistry so he can serve them upon completion of his studies.

Nikau is a humble and hard working achiever who has always run well with every opportunity afforded him and achieved way beyond what was expected of him. I was a very proud father when I heard that he received this honour to represent his whanau, hapu and iwi at the United Nations in New York, accompanying 13 other fortunate young Maori ambassadors. I know he will be a great ambassador, as he has experience traveling to Spain and India with his school on cultural experience tours, and enjoys networking and making new friends, regardless who they are or where they reside.

Therefore, if you can koha or donate a dollar towards his spending cost then he will be very appreciative! All flights and accommodation has been taken care of by The Moko Foundation, who I thank very much.

I believe that if our children have the opportunity to achieve greater goals in their lifetime than we as their parents, and out do that...then we have done our job!

Mauri Tu! Mauri Ora!

Use of funds

There is no set target amount, but all koha or donations will go towards Nikau's spending costs, as all flights and accommodation has been taken care of by The Moko Foundation. Any surplus will go towards his ongoing study expenses.