New iwi cadet for bank (+video)

Westpac Rotorua's new iwi cadet is looking forward to bridging the communication gap for Maori bankers.

When Ngawiki Ashby Te Nahu, 23, first saw the job advertised, it stood out to her as a place she could feel comfortable speaking te reo as well as a place she could help her local iwi.

Mrs Ashby Te Nahu was born and raised in Rotorua. She went to school at Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Ruamata and later studied at the Waikato Management School completing a Bachelor of Communications, majoring in Marketing and Events Management.

"I think what attracted me to the role the most was the aspect of the Maori position. In my interview I talked about bridging that communication gap for our Maori people and getting our people more financially literate.

"It's an intimidating place to come to sometimes for our people, so to have that position here, it means a lot.

"I already have Maori people who come in day in and day out who chose to come to me and we have big old conversations in Maori at the counter and I'm very comfortable with that."

Mrs Ashby Te Nahu is Te Arawa and identifies with both Ngati Pikiao and Ngati Rangiwewehi.

"I'm quite passionate about all things that pertain to Maori, it's something I love. There's nothing like connecting with your own people in a corporate space.

"What's important for me is inspiring our young people, especially in Maori-based schools to show then that if I can do it, you can do it."

As part of her role as the iwi cadet and customer banking consultant she will be presenting workshops in smaller communities on how to manage money while connecting with local iwi.