Cousins take matching leadership roles at high schools
Amiria Tikao andWairaamia Tikao Taratoa-Bannister call themselves a ‘‘buyone-get-one-free’’.
The Christchurch cousins – who often get mistaken for sisters – do everything together and now they have both been named head girl of their respective schools.
Amiria, 17, attends Christchurch Girls’ High andWairaamia, 16, is at Cashmere High. When they are not at school they regularly meet up, competing in kapa haka, learning te reo Ma¯ori or just hanging out.
They grew up in different cities but Wairaamia said you could not separate them when they got together for family events.
Wairaamia moved to Christchurch in 2016 and Amiria was the only person she knew in the city. ‘‘I went to Cashmere, she went to Girls’ High but we would come back together and talk about everything,’’ she said.
Being a similar age, there is a healthy competition between the two girls but they always make sure they support and encourage each other.
‘‘We both have this competitiveness in us and I believe it comes from our parents being siblings and it has come down to us.’’
Both girls affiliate toWaitaha, Nga¯ti Ma¯moe and Nga¯i Tahu. Wairaamia also affiliates to Nga¯i Te Rangi and Nga¯ti Raukawa on her father’s side.
And Kelly Tikao, Wairaamia’s mum, said she hoped the girls’ success showed young Ma¯ori women ‘‘can, and are, breaking free from stereotypes’’ that have existed in the past.
‘‘They have been involved in a number of Ma¯ori initiatives that encouraged them to be strong in all arenas of their lives,’’ she said.
Both girls were ‘‘naturally competitive in all they do’’, and had received ‘‘leadership grooming’’ from their hapu¯ and schools, Tikao said.
Cashmere High principal Joe Eccleton said he was looking forward to Wairaamia’s ‘‘positive contributions’’ to the school and community in the head girl role next year.
Amiria made headlines inMarch 2019 when she and two friends supported a Muslim girl after a bus driver closed the door on her and drove off.
Girls’ High principal Christine O’Neill said Amiria was an ‘‘outstanding young woman’’ who was ‘‘highly respected as a leader’’ by her peers and teachers.
‘‘She is the face of future Ma¯ori leadership in this country and we are very proud of her.’’
Wairaamia said the head girl role connected the school with the wider community.
‘‘We believe that celebrating, championing and advocating for cultural
diversity has driven us as two young Ma¯ori wa¯hine to where we are now,’’ she said.
‘‘We want to create an inclusive environment for all rangatahi, we are hoping to inspire more Ma¯ori students to step out of their comfort zone and reclaim their tu¯rangawaewae.’’
Amiria is thinking about studying law and economics or political science when she leaves school. Wairaamia is still undecided but is considering midwifery.
Amiria said they felt lucky to have received so much support.
‘‘From wha¯nau and friends and to our mentors at te¯ runanga o Nga¯i Tahu, we are both incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be in these positions and it is our goal to inspire upcoming Ma¯ori kotiro who are the leaders of our future.’’