We are thrilled to welcome Amy to the Waikato Wellbeing Project, focusing on the Rangatahi Opportunity Project.

Amy-Leigh’s role with the Rangatahi Opportunity Project is as Pou Turuki, meaning:
· To support
· To guide
· To spearhead (with regard to a waka) …around a call for collective action
"Turuki! Turuki!, Paneke! Paneke!"

To move, move, move forward.
Amy-Leigh started recently with the team and is already having a huge positive impact as we move through our insight process to the co-design and implementation phases.

Amy-Leigh’s introduction is below.

Ko wai au:
"Mehemea ka moemoeā ahau, ko ahau anake. Mehemea ka moemoeā tātou, ka taea e tātou"
- Te Puea 

Tēnā koutou, He uri au nō Waikato me Tauranga hoki, Ko Ngāti Wairere rāua ko Te Whānau o Tauwhao ōku hapū. Ko Amy-Leigh Hopa tōku ingoa. 

I was raised in Ngāruawāhia, under the protection of the Hākarimata ranges, and where the meeting of the two waters of the Waikato and Waipa.  

My journey thus far has taken me through all levels of youth, health and community development spaces. Working in NGOs, Trusts, as well as government funded organisations. My vision for the future lays in the hands of our Rangatahi. 

As everything we do is with intention, so should our reflections reflect our future goals and aspirations. What better way to "future-proof" than to bring along, create space and encourage the leadership of those who will soon take our places. 

I look forward to working with, and alongside you to create our ideal futures.
Noho ora mai.

You can contact Amy-Leigh at: amy@waikatowellbeingproject.com along with our rangatahi Innovators Charlotte Mitchell  (charlotte@waikatowellbeingproject.com )and Rana Arif (rana@waikatowellbeingproject.com )