This week's newsmaker is Potaua Biasiny-Tule, former Te Arawa Standing Committee member and self-confessed computer geek and "digital native".
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I'm just a regular bro, a family man and a local geek. I live near the Redwoods with my wife Nikolasa and our two tamariki, Atutahi and Hiona. My dad John Tule lives up Western Heights and mum Karen still lives in Murupara. My drive comes from the solid foundation set by our tupuna, my grandparents Cissy and Rangi Rakuraku and Mihi and Fasi Tule, my parents, aunts and uncles from Ngati Pikiao, Ngati Whakaue, Mataatua and the whanau we lived with in Mourea, Ford Block and Pleasant Heights.
What have been the highlights of your working career?
My first job was delivering the Rotorua Review around Ford Block where I lived in the 90s, it taught me that working hard and wearing a smile were important, it also taught me to always carry a small stone, just in case the local dog took exception to my presence. The next highlight was being sent to Gallipoli as a young man to represent New Zealand university students in the replanting of the peninsula and performing a tear-filled haka in Anzac Cove. Working in Parliament for the Maori Party was transformative after studying politics at both Canterbury and Waikato university. My time spent as a lecturer at Waikato University and claims co-ordinator for the Waitangi Tribunal were equally eye-opening. Launching Google Maori was awesome too.
Why did you get involved with the Te Arawa Standing Committee?
Initially, revenge. We all saw what the system had done to our tuakana Hawea Vercoe. I spoke to my father who disagreed with my purpose of revenge and instead wisely recommended using my political science degree to honour Hawea by joining the committee to fight for the rights of our whanau and our whenua, as Hawea had done. What kept me there were the hard working staff, who all deeply cared for our city and my fellow standing committee colleagues, who taught me so many things and whose effort has lifted political participation of Te Arawa as a whole.
What do you love about Rotorua?
The people around us, our beautiful whenua and I am especially fond of our lakes and streams. We are fortunate to have so many incredible leaders who call Rotorua home. We're surrounded by caring and passionate people. Some of the best techies, designers, artists, creators, writers, producers and innovators in the country call Rotorua home. Our city is a little raw and edgy but still safe enough for my kids to walk around. The Kuirau markets and Thursday Night Markets are great places for whanau to meet up, share kai and korero. And I have no doubt whatsoever that Rotorua would survive a zombie apocalypse.
Tell us three things about yourself most people wouldn't know.
My wife, kids and I love to game online and play Minecraft on our own server and smash League of Legends as a family. I'm always getting "rekt". I taught English with my wife in Seoul, South Korea for two years. And when I worked in Parliament, I had dreadlocks down to my knees and Don Brash would regularly greet me in the halls, saying "Kia ora Nandor", clearly confusing me with (former) Green MP Nandor Tanczos.