He Tangata Lucy Carter

Ngāi Tahu – Ōraka-Aparima

Lucy Carter (Ngāi Tahu – Ōraka-Aparima) was awarded the only Fulbright Science and Innovation Scholarship for 2013 and will fly to the United States in August to complete her Master’s degree at Colorado State University, majoring in Environmental Sociology.

Lucy was born in Christchurch and finished her schooling at Christchurch Girls’ High School before moving to Dunedin to attend the University of Otago for four years, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Sociology.

Lucy has been working for Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu as project co-ordinator for Toitū te Kāinga for the past year-and-a-half, developing the pounamu industry through the Ngāi Tahu Pounamu brand.

What constitutes a good day?
Going for a walk around the Port Hills then meeting up with friends at a bar in Lyttelton for some good food and good beer – it doesn’t get much better than that!

One thing you could not live without?
The SoHo channel on Sky – I’m addicted to so many TV shows on it.

Who or what inspires you and why?
There are so many amazing projects happening around the world, especially in the urban planning space. I’m very inspired by projects going on in Christchurch where people are rethinking how to use urban spaces, and looking into agriculture in the city. It’s a very exciting time in Christchurch, and it certainly gives me hope for the future.

Highlight in the last year and why?
My sister’s wedding in February. We had relatives come from as far away as the United Kingdom to celebrate. Everyone pitched in, and it was amazing to see the effort and love that went into such a beautiful and heartfelt event.

What is your greatest extravagance?
Shoes, shoes and more shoes. I have over 40 pairs at the moment and will need to have a serious sort through before moving to Colorado!

Favourite way to chill out? Favourite place?
Probably going to an acoustic music gig with a few friends and having a catch up at The Darkroom (where I’m found most weekends).

Dance or wallflower?
Definitely dancing!

What food could you not live without?
Texas BBQ-flavoured Pringles; I could eat my weight in them.

What meal do you cook the most?
I love cooking curries. I did a cooking course in Vietnam and fell in love with all the intricate flavours utilised in them. Fish sauce is an absolute staple in my cooking.

Greatest achievement?
So far it would be graduating with a First Class Honours Degree in Sociology. It was a lot of work and a pretty painful process at some points, but definitely worth the effort.

Do you have an aspiration for Ngāi Tahu to achieve by 2025?
I would love to see the continuing academic success of Ngāi Tahu iwi members and their unique research contributions in the future. It’s great to see so much ambition being realised.