Meet Our Team – Jasmine Jones
"Seeing barriers removed and spirits lifted is all I aspire to do, not only in my mahi, but in life. "
Jasmine Jones, Why Ora Kaiārahi
Ko Jasmine Angeau
Nō Tainui, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāruahinerangi,
Ngā Rauruu Kiitahi, Tongareva me Inarangi au
I whānau mai au ki Te Whanganui-a-Tara
I tipu ake au ki Motukairangi
Kei Pātea nui a Turi e noho ana
Kei Tangaroa tōku tūrangawaewae
It was quite the culture shock when, four years ago in 2020, my whānau and I decided to completely uproot our lives to move from Wellington to Patea. Wellington was all that I had known; it felt like my stomping ground. Moving between Lower Hutt and the Eastern Suburbs I was well versed in all that the city could offer.
I was raised by my mum and my grandparents; the only family I knew of and had a strong connection to growing up. I felt like we were a very close knit whānau, however also recall feeling a sense of disconnection from wider whānau, not getting to see them often.
My fondest memories were centred around people; spending time with neighbourhood kids, riding our bikes, skimming rocks at the creek, playing at each other’s houses. Those were the good days; memories of a carefree and simple life remind me to keep being playful and having fun as an adult.
Tangaroa has always been a significant part of my life, my connection to water has continued to help me navigate my journey and provide a sense of grounding like nothing else does.
I have always been a driven, highly motivated person. From as young as I can remember I took a lot of responsibility for myself and for my own needs, making for quite an independent person now. I loved learning (and still do!). I would assert myself to everything I did and often, through a lot of hard mahi, get good grades and be recognised for this.
I also loved performing and being creative and throughout schooling was often seen participating in musical theatre, drama, and art. In year 13, I became the Arts’ Prefect for my college. I thought I would go forth and pursue a career in Performing Arts. All that changed when my mental health took a turn.
Home life was not great, so after my last year of school and moved in with my mentors through my church community, a husband and wife who had two tamariki. I found myself a job, working as an Education Support Worker to help support this change.
I tried university but left after one year as seldom felt supported, and more like a number than an individual. I started to notice myself slowly isolating and retreating from the outside world, with no sense of direction or purpose, unmotivated to participate in daily life.
Luckily a mentor and friend who knew my potential challenged me not to let it go to waste! She worked in early childhood education and offered me a relief teaching role. I knew I did not want to do it forever, but I also knew I had to do something with my life!
So I took on some work, which turned into permanent work, and led me to do a Bachelor in Early Childhood Education. I started to thrive because I felt connected and supported by the communities I was involved in.
I spent over 14 years working in people-facing mahi; from early childhood education to vocational education and training with adults.
One of the most profound experiences for me was my mahi as an education tutor at Arohata Women’s Prison in Wellington; a recurring theme this experience highlighted was how the education system was not set up to empower Māori to be Māori and be successful.
I began to reflect on my own life and how education for me became an escape from some of the realities I was working through as an adult. I didn’t associate being Māori with being successful in a mainstream world – so I take this moment to mihi everyone I have worked alongside since who helped me to realise this!
In 2020 I felt a calling to go deeper, that change was coming. When we decided to uproot our lives and move to Patea, I didn’t understand the wairua connection I had to the land there (I had never been there prior to the move) but knew there was a feeling of home.
Through kōrero with my dad’s whānau I realised our Whakapapa is Taranaki ki te Tonga. I have spent the last four years reconnecting to my Tutahione whanau ingoa, while challenging in many ways, it has helped me understand who I am on a deeper level.
This haerenga (journey) arrived at the right place at the right time. Working for Why Ora at a time in my life where I feel grounded in my identity is so empowering and something I passionately advocate for with our taiohi. I understand having someone in your corner is necessary for positive development, so if I can be that for one taiohi, I have won!
Seeing barriers removed and spirits lifted is all I aspire to do, not only in my mahi, but in life. My idea of success has changed. More than ever, I am harnessing all my super-powers of being connected to things beyond the physical; to grow taiohi, whānau and community wellbeing through wairua. Looking to the future I would like to bring all my experience and creativity together to start a small wairua led business, focusing on coaching and growing others wellbeing, as well as my own. That’s my 5-year plan and I’m excited about that!
