NASA Space Camp

Ko Kapotai te Māunga

Ko Waikare te awa

Ko Ngātokimatawhaorua te waka

Ko NgāPuhi tōku iwi

Ko Ngati Hine tōku hapū

Ko Turuki tōku marae

No Waikare ahau

Ko Rhianne Tarau tōku ingoa

Kia ora my name is Rhianne Tarau im 17 years old. In my family there is 7 of us and I am the 4th sibling out of 5 so im the second youngest. My parents iwi is NgāPuhi and Tūhoe and I live in the Elsdon area Porirua. I am a current year 12 student at Mana College and one of only three female students who achieved excellent in level 1 NCEA.

I’m wanting to go the NASA Space Camp program because I have always been fascinated with space and the way the world works. I have been lucky enough to be accepted on the program. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me that I’m hoping will lead to great opportunities for me to explore my passion subject and the possibilities that are available to live my dream.

For me this is an opportunity to try new things, meet new people and to see how astronauts do their things. On the trip we travel to America and go to their space camp where we do simulations, team working/building and meeting an astronaut. I would love to be the first Maori wahine at NASA and to follow in the footsteps of Mana Vautier.

I was a shy person at first but eventually I have come out of my shell and I am trying new things I've never done before.

I have achieved this confidence in myself by being involved with the Graeme Dingle Foundation Stars - Nga Whetu peer mentor program held at Mana College.

This means I look after a class of year 9's to help introduce them to Mana College, this is a 3 term commitment, early morning meetings at Mana on a Wednesday to talk to my adult Star mentors and then working with my group. Participating and leading in an Adventure Camp, on activity days, peer mentoring, and community projects and activity days.

We have a prize giving in term 4, I shared the MC role for my group of year 9's with my fellow senior student mentors. I'm also a student representative on the Board of Trustees at Mana College, and a youth rep for Porirua at Porirua Partners. Another role I’m apart of is a part of the student leadership team here at Mana College. I love doing my school work and I always try my hardest at what I do.

The adversity I face is covering the payment of $8000 to go (without spending money).

I’m trying to find ways of getting the money such as fundraising and if possible sponsorships from local business.

I have been lucky enough for my parents and school to help with the first two payments, but I need to fundraise for the remaining amount of $4,500.00, which is split over two payments.

February $2,500.00 and April $2,000.00

No reira, tēnā Koutou, tēnā Koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.