Tyree Manaia

IT is in the roots, not the branches, that a tree’s greatest strength lies.

Waitaki Boys’ High School cultural prefect Tyree Manaia finds truth and inspiration in the old adage.

The 18yearold was born in Fiji and is of Tuvaluan descent, and his family moved to New Zealand when he was 1yearold.

Since then, he has been learning all he can about his roots in Tuvalu.

‘‘It’s good to know where you come from, where you started from. Growing up in a different country, we sometimes forget where we come from.

‘‘I’ve been trying to know my roots, even though I didn’t grow up on the islands, so I know what the culture is like.

‘‘It helps me to feel whole.’’

He said knowing his roots also played a big part in his future because it helped him get to know other people and their cultures better.

‘‘You can relate to people better which means you can create better relationships which means a brighter future.’’

Tyree is incredibly proud of his Pasifika heritage and this is reflected by his roles at school, where he is a cultural prefect and the student leader of the school’s Pasifika group — Talanga o Waitaki.

‘‘We have language weeks, we try to get the boys to get involved in activities that they wouldn’t normally do, and we make them feeds from the islands just for them to try out.

‘‘When they start learning about other cultures, it makes them want to learn more about their past, their history and their cultures as well.

‘‘It’s important to know about your roots because it’s a big part of who you are, your values, where you’re from.’’

On the sports field, Tyree has been in the school’s 1st XV rugby team for three years, he is captain of the team this year, and was recently named in the North Otago NPC Heartland squad.

He also captains the school’s volleyball team, which won this year’s Aoraki Championship.

Academically, Tyree has achieved NCEA level 1 with excellence and level 2 with merit, and wants to combine his passion for science and giving back to the community, by studying to be a doctor.

‘‘Our Pasifika communities need to see more Pasifika faces helping them make healthy choices, and when they are under stress, I believe I could give them the comfort and advice to make the right choices for their families.’’

Achievements: NCEA level 1 with excellence, level 2 with merit; cultural prefect (2022); Talanga o Waitaki Pasifika group leader (2022); WBHS rugby 1st XV (20202022), captain (2022); North Otago NPC Heartland Squad (2022); WBHS volley ball captain (2022); Aoraki Volley Ball Champions (2019, 2020, 2021).

Role models: My parents.

Hopes for the future: To study health sciences at the University of Otago and become a doctor.