He Takata

SASCHA WALL
NGĀI TAHU - AWARUA

My name is Sascha Wall (née Young). I am currently working as a communications advisor for Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. My mahi involves taking care of Te Pānui Rūnaka, as well as making contributions to TE KARAKA. I was born and grew up in Waihōpai and spent a lot of time with my grandparents in Awarua where my marae, Te Rau Aroha, sits. I have one younger brother, Breyton, who is six years younger than me and much cooler and smarter. Our childhood was a very happy one, full of adventure, aroha and plenty of amazing kai. Our whānau whakapapa to the tītī islands, so I spent 2-3 weeks on our moutere, Kahuāriki every year from the age of two to 14. I returned to Kahuāriki this year with my husband and have never felt such gratitude in my life. As integral as the birding mahi is to the experience, the significance of each day spent there is whānau. My father, Justin, and grandfather, Geoff, demonstrate such kaitiakitanga for our tikanga moutere. This leadership has shaped who I am today, and I will be incredibly proud to raise my own tamariki in this whānau one day.

Image: Sascha and her grandmother, Trish Young.

What constitutes a good day?
One that begins with kāwhe and ends with a completed to-do list.

One thing you could not live without?
Kāwhe, or a to-do list.

Who or what inspires you and why?
Both for different reasons, but I would have to say my māmā and my Nan. They are both the strongest wāhine I know.
Love them to pieces.

Highlight in the last year and why?
In the last year my husband and I spent 10 months in Murihiku, including two weeks on my whānau Tītī Island, Kahuāriki. Any time I can spend with my wider whānau always feels like a blessing.

What is your greatest extravagance?
Seven months travelling last year from Japan and Singapore to the UK/Europe, then home via Vietnam, Indonesia and Australia.

Favourite way to chill out? Favourite place?
At home in my own space. I love slow mornings with music playing, kāwhe in hand and my kurī at my side.

Dance or wallflower?
Dance, every time … and I’m dragging the wallflowers to the floor with me.

What FOOD could you not live without?
Definitely kai moana. I’m from Waihōpai/Awarua so tio, kūtai, paua, kōura, kina and cod.

What meal do you cook the most?
I’ve been trying to nail making a Japanese ramen from scratch for about three years, so probably that, once a month or so. I really value variety in my diet, so I try to keep it creative in the kāuta.

Greatest achievement?
All the travel I’ve managed so far. In my 29 years, I have visited 33 countries. I love finding parallels between the values of te ao Māori and other cultures; there are so many. I think it’s also important to appreciate how different our ways of living can be across the globe. As well as a collection of new experiences, travel has given me the greatest appreciation for Aotearoa.

Do you have an aspiration for Kāi Tahu to achieve by 2050?
To have provided and continue to provide our tamariki with the resources to grow up with, and be confident in their reo. I would also love to see a model of teaching te reo that also supports different learning styles. Language is the central pillar to connection and understanding, but learning is so subjective. Some learn better in classrooms, some through kōrero, and some through action. All of us need compassion in learning.