He TangataDelane Luke

Ngāi Tahu – Ngāti Waewae, Ngāti Rārua, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Maniapoto

Delane was born in Wellington and has two brothers, Tana (19) and Waikawau (8).

He began his education at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Whānau Tahi, and in 2011 he moved to St Thomas of Canterbury College, where he has just completed his final year. Delane was awarded an Emerging Leadership scholarship for the University of Canterbury, where he will study te reo Māori and anthropology in 2016.

Delane is a keen sportsman who has played both representative rugby and rugby league, and is a seasoned Ngā Manu Kōrero speaker who is passionate about te reo Māori and Māoritanga.

What constitutes a good day?
A good day for me would have something to do with sports and messing around with some mates, or spending quality time with whānau over a kai.

One thing you could not live without?
I am forever grateful for my whānau and their support. Their unconditional support has given me many opportunities and pathways I have been able to venture into.

Who or what inspires you and why?
I have a long list of role models and those who inspire me, but one person who has continually inspired me from a young age is my older brother. He has always set a strong platform for me to aspire to.

Highlight in the last year and why?
My high school graduation. It was such a special occasion having all my whānau there and finishing off my school life with all my mates and brothers. It was heightened as it was my final address to the college as head boy.

What is your greatest extravagance?
My money seems to always go towards food, e.g. the school tuck shop, Maccas, and Subway.

Favourite way to chill out?
Favourite place?
I tend to enjoy relaxing out and watching movies or television series marathons and letting time elude me. A habit I should break, I guess.

Dance or wallflower?
I am a wallflower. It is not by choice, but hey, you play with the cards you get dealt.

What food could you not live without?
The Griffins biscuits range – Chocolate Chip, Hundreds and Thousands, I’m not fussy. I can easily polish off a packet in one sitting.

What meal do you cook the most?
Two minute noodles or baked beans on toast, as I write this, I realise my cooking skills need improving.

Greatest achievement?
My greatest achievement to date would have to be co-college captain at St Thomas of Canterbury College this year. It was such an honour and privilege, but also an opportunity to give back to the college. It was even more significant to me as my older brother Tana was head boy in 2013.

Aspirations for Ngāi Tahu to achieve by 2025?
My aspirations for Ngāi Tahu are to increase rangatahi engagement and ensure violence and abuse are not part of our future. I spoke about these kaupapa as part of a rangatahi panel during Settlement Week at Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. I am currently working on an idea to address rangatahi participation and engagement as I have just started the “Live the Dream” accelerator programme, which will help me to stretch my idea out and make it happen. So watch this space…