One of our researchers Jacqueline Paul speaks with Veisinia Maka about the experiences she is facing as a young person during the COVID-19 crisis/lockdown, the transition to online learning, the hardships that young people are facing and environmental issues now and into the future.
Veisinia Maka is of Tongan descent and hails from the villages of Folaha and Longoteme. She was raised in the hearty suburbs of Mangere and Panmure/Pakuranga.
Veisinia is a dedicated advocate for increased youth inclusiveness concerning the development of communities, systems, and processes. She is currently an Undergraduate University of Auckland student studying a Bachelor Arts and Law and hopes to become an appointed New Zealand Judge in the future. Veisinia is the Chairperson of the Tāmaki Youth Council, a YouthLaw Board Member, SkyCity Trustee and was previously the Chairperson of Auckland Council’s Youth Advisory Panel.
In her spare time, she dedicates her time to writing a blog called, ‘Brown Privilege’ in the hopes to share her lessons and learnings within the institution through the eyes of a young brown woman. She believes that storytelling can change the world and encourages young people to influence change by sharing the one thing that no one can take from you, your experiences.