To Those Who Come After Us
Tēnā koutou e aku tamariki, aku mokopuna, aku uri whakatupu,
and to every soul who holds these words in their hands,
As I write this, the year 2025 is still ahead of me. I do not know what your world will look like when you open this, but I write with aroha, with faith, and with the deepest hope that these words reach you in good health, in strength, and in love.
My name is Māhera Wanairangi Maihi of Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua, and Muriwhenua.
I am the daughter of Rehe Robert Maihi and Marcella Noble. My dad was a hard man—futuristic, a man ahead of his time. My mum was love and kindness embodied, intelligent and steady. Together they raised us in a world that was not easy. We grew up amongst gangs, police, refuges, and the shadow of domestic violence. Life was rough, but Dad raised us to be unshakably committed to each other. Through every storm, we remained close, fiercely protective of one another. Our love for each other is our greatest wealth.
I am one of five, and my siblings are my heart:
Sky, our eldest, who wears armour on the outside but is soft for her whānau. She is my safe place, my reset, always there when I need her.
Hurricane, my brother, brilliant beyond measure, clever in ways that outshine my own. If only he always used those smarts for good.
River-Kaye, the most giving of us all, with a heart so big we sometimes told her to rein it in. Big beautiful smile, best dancer, effortless style—a tomboy with endless grace.
Hunter, our baby sister, who feels more like my own daughter. She is the life of the party, cool and magnetic. She speaks light into me without even realising it. She builds me up, fills my cup, and I talk to her often because she nourishes my wairua.
From these roots, I built Mā Te Huruhuru, a kaupapa I birthed in 2020 in South Auckland. What began as a dream has become a movement. Today, we have 17 staff, 2 housing sites, and 2 offices. We are achieving many firsts in the youth housing space—something I could hardly imagine as a kid growing up the way we did. Mā Te Huruhuru exists to give our taitamariki wings, to remind them that they are worthy, capable, and destined for greatness.
Our whānau has grown with beautiful nieces and nephews who carry our future in their smiles and laughter: Jordan, Ajah, Rain, Hurricane, Māhera, Thunder, Mareikura, Hunter, and one on the way. And I cannot forget our wider whānau of precious ones: Ihapera, Te Rangi, Atawhai, Antoanette, Angel, Rangatira, Tawhiri, Leeana, Taimania, Daela, Zion, Ataahua, Rangi, Awhina, Raniera, George, Dayanah, and Che. Each of you is a taonga, a reminder of our legacy, our resilience, and our unbreakable bonds.
To my future children, and to my moko who may one day read this:
You are the continuation of everything I have loved, fought for, and dreamed of.
You are the prayers whispered by our tūpuna.
You are the hope of our people.
If the world feels heavy, return to the whenua. Place your hands on the earth and remember who you are.
If life tests you, lean into each other. Our greatest strength is our whānau, our whakapapa, our unity.
If you ever wonder what matters, know this: service to others will always give you purpose.
I hope that when you read these words, Mā Te Huruhuru has flown even higher, reaching further than I ever imagined. I hope you stand proud in your identity and excel in the ways you contribute to our people. I hope you live boldly, love fiercely, and hold tight to the knowledge that you are enough.
Remember always:
You are loved.
You carry greatness in your bones.
You are the future we dreamed of.
Aroha nui,
Māhera Wanairangi Maihi
Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua, Muriwhenua
Founder of Mā Te Huruhuru
Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa
Matua, Tama, Wairua Tapu, Anahera Pono Me Te Mangai Ae
