“Humans of Kaitaia is a rōpū passionate about nurturing, highlighting and celebrating the authentic stories of our people, connecting our community.”  The concept is based on Humans of New York (HONY), a photoblog and book featuring street portraits and interviews collected on the city's streets, which begun in 2010 by photographer Brandon Stanton.  A local group began developing a similar concept for Kaitaia and launched their Humans of Kaitaia (HOK) Facebook page, aimed at shining a light on the town's inspirational residents.

Medadane Kipa, Hinemoa Tipene, Naomi Austen-Reid, Kate Clarke, Serenity Taniwha, Kirsty Saxon, Erena Hodgkinson and Micah Tawhara rely on the public to make nominations and then they shine a light on a new HOK every week.  "We are passionate about nurturing, highlighting and celebrating the authentic stories of our people, and connecting our community" says Erena Hodgkinson.

Following are some of the faces and voices of those involved in sport - some great messages about having fun, trying new things and loving sport from the Kaitaia sporting community:

Damien Windelborn – “Netball has always been a part of me. Everyone smiled at me having fun, and because I was a boy playing netball I went with it. I remember getting teased and bullied about playing netball but I didn’t really care. I had family around me, coaches and my mates who backed me 100%, and if someone I didn’t really know came up and started teasing me - I didn’t care because I was happy doing what I was doing.”

Shakani and Kahurangi – “We hope that our siblings learn from us that no matter how good you are at any sport, you need to always stay humble, be grateful and have a good attitude. You can do anything you want as long as you set your mind to it - keep pushing through your battles and challenges and NEVER GIVE UP!”

Amy Tepania – “I’m really passionate about what I do. It’s not about how many reps you can do, or how strong you are, or how skinny you are. I’m not about ‘look at me, look at me, look at what I can do.’ It’s how you connect as a culture with your group.” 

Manuera Riwai - "I love sports. I’d probably always want to be known as someone that’s on the move doing something, trying to make the most of life and whatever opportunities like there are.”

Maureen Perry - "I’m most passionate about kids, they’re honest. Sometimes you have to go in to bat for them, to make things happen. That is why we built this gym in 2005. We raised $850,000. I said when we had raised a million dollars, I would retire. But before we got to that much, they told me no, we’ve got everything we need now so you can stay here. I’ve been a volunteer here for 30 years. 

Nikora Pirini - "I play for Rarawa Under 11s. We trained hard and had a good coach. He always says, 'Play hard and have fun.'” 

Jodi Fryer - “Netball is my passion. I’ve played, coached and volunteered with Rarawa Netball Club. I’m on the committee and help do all the little jobs as there’s never enough people to help, as people who volunteer their time know.”

Monte Pawa Jnr – “It was about the things I love doing: being a singer/songwriter, a New Zealand Lawn Bowls representative, a netball player and coach and a mentor. Because I was young, I was teased about playing bowls because it is considered an old person’s sport, “You’re a koroheke!” (an elderly man), I was told. People certainly judged me because I didn’t play the stereotypical boy's sports like rugby.”

Kaden Cutler - "Running is one of my favourite things to do in the world. When I run, I get into a zone, it’s like catching a good wave, you just want it to keep going”

Diversity is key, with stories from local legends, public figures, young people, kuia, kaumatua, volunteers, business owners, artists, sportspeople, educators, battlers and survivors.  All have their own story to tell and in doing so they create a vivid picture of their town. 

If you would like to nominate someone or just want a peek at their HOK then you can find them here: https://www.facebook.com/humansofkaitaianz/