Developing leadership in young Māori

Cale Borell wants to be a leader one day and he has already started networking his way to the top.

Cale, 19, from Pirirakau hapū in Te Puna, has been chosen to work alongside Western Bay Mayor Garry Webber in the Local Government New Zealand 2018 Tuia Te Here Tangata leadership development programme.

The year-long programme aims to develop leadership in young Māori across all communities and involves one-on-one mentoring with the local mayor.

Cale will be mentored by Mayor Garry with the aim of building Cale’s community involvement and developing his relationships across a diverse network of individuals and political and non-political organisations.

Seven scholarships to attend university

For 19 years of age, Cale’s CV reads impressively. At Tauranga Boys’ College he passed his studies with merit or excellence and he has a list of achievements to his name, including seven scholarships to attend university. He finished his first year in Pharmacy at Auckland University last year.

Cale’s whakapapa is across the Tauranga Moana Iwi of Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngati Ranginui and Ngati Hangarau hapū – an allegiance of which he is extremely proud.

Acceptance into the leadership programme is timely for Cale who, after a year at university, is at a crossroads with where he wants to go professionally.

His mother would be proud

The death of his mother Paula Heke in a car crash in 2016 profoundly impacted Cale who was just 17 at the time, in his final year at school.

Cale has decided to take time to devote to his Te Puna community – one to which his mum also contributed greatly. Most days Cale pops by the urupa to tell his mum about his day and his dreams.

Strong connections with Mayor Garry found

He is excited at what the mentoring programme offers. In the time already spent with Mayor Garry he has found strong connections. Garry also started out as a pharmacy student before changing direction into corporate business and community involvement.

“The Mayor understands where I am in life – and through the year ahead I can see many opportunities will arise through our relationship.

In return I can offer the Mayor a voice for our rangatahi– not just young Māori – but all young people.

One day I want to be a Garry Webber – I would like to be in politics and be an effective politician.’’

Cale caught the Mayor’s attention as an outstanding student at Tauranga Boys’ College and his commitment to completing his university studies.

“Cale certainly has the ambition to be a leader and hopefully I can contribute to him achieving that goal. I am hopeful that the community at large also recognises his potential and helps him on this journey towards leadership.”

More information

For more information on the programme visit: mayorstaskforceforjobs.co.nz/home/our-work/tuia-and-mtfj-rangatahi or contact Chris Nepia at Western Bay of Plenty District Council on 07 571 8008.