CURRENT MISSION

To see and learn more of the world, its amazing landscapes, rich cultures & languages

ABOUT ME

I have two grown daughters and now four grandchildren. My youngest daughter and her baby live with me in our 2 bedroom home overlooking the Waitemata Harbour in Auckland. I often host family members (sometimes enmasse) when they need somewhere to stay or just come to visit in Auckland. In Maori culture it is custom to sleep on mattresses side by side in our wharenui (large traditional communal houses), so too mattresses and couches in the living room. So mattress- or couch- surfing is basically a cultural experience in NZ lol.

PHILOSOPHY

Although I was raised a christian, I believe in spiritual realms and higher powers. As a maori I believe I have ultimately descended from these, and am a part of nature not dominant over it. I strive to conduct myself in ways that are respectful of my ancestors.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Plan to travel more when I can so figure this is a good way to save precious travelling money and therefore have more to spend on seeing and interacting with people and their places.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

mainly around NZ with people I know. A group of 4 of us from NZ went to a conference in San Francisco in 2008, and we ended up surfing the couches in an apartment with some Karuk friends we made there, for our 1 night in the city. It was like we were not half way across the world, but had come home which is priceless when you're so far from it....

Interests

Weaving traditions and materials (Maori, Pacific, International), flora and fauna, sustainable use of natural resources, ta moko (tattooing traditions), arts, music, dancing, laughing, other cultures, getting back to nature, making the world better than how we've found it, so on...

• arts
• culture
• tattoos
• dancing
• traveling
• music
• surfing
• languages

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Attended the births of all my grandchildren...

Teach, Learn, Share

NZ flora and fauna expertise, particularly those of the northern end of the country as I am from northern tribes. I can also share insights into Maori culture and weaving arts. If you have time and energy you could make yourself a nice memento of your stay. I am fluent in english and Te Reo Maori, and am always keen to learn more of other languages.