Community Champion Spotlight: Raipoia Brightwell
Each month, Healthy Families East Cape like to put the spotlight on a community champion, someone working within our Tairāwhiti community who is supporting, creating positive and transformational change towards the wellbeing of all people in our rohe.
This month, we are putting the spotlight on Raipoia Brightwell
Photo Credit: Whiti Ora Tairāwhiti
Ko wai koe, nō hea koe?
Ia Orana tātou, Ko Raipoia Brightwell to’u ingoa, nō te motu o Tahiti au, East of Aotearoa
Kei te aha?
Kei te pai, each day is a precious day, so we can only be well.
How did you get your name and what does it mean?
My name is Tahitian. Literally, it means “angry sky,” but in Polynesian languages, like Māori, the meaning is more layered. My great-grandmother’s name was Raipoia, and I get my name from Tahiti-tuturu, the place where her family is our anchor. We come from the district of Puna’auia, one of the largest in Tahiti.
There’s also a deep whānau story tied to our land. A cousin of my great-grandmother, named Turei, was a renowned healer in Tahiti. People would travel to see him under a tree on our family property. He healed, gave wise advice, and found creative solutions like the time he told someone with an empty petrol tank to use coconut water to raise the fuel level just enough to reach the station. The land is still known for its healing properties, and mango trees now grow where he worked. They’re called “Turei” mangoes. Every time one is eaten, his name and his legacy are remembered.
My daughter is also named after me, so this name and its stories continue through the generations.
What was your favourite story, book or movie growing up?
I grew up on an island, and the first movies we saw were in my uncle’s garden with a big screen set up. It was quite a novelty. I can’t recall a specific title, but I’ve always loved true stories, ones you can relate to and connect with in real life.
What's one of the most special or memorable moments in your mahi, and why does it stand out to you?
My whānau is my greatest mahi. Raising our children, helping with our grandchildren, and now welcoming our mokomokopuna has taught me more than any job ever could on how to behave, be resilient, and keep moving forward together.
I’ve also worked in public health and hauora, which I see as supporting overall wellbeing, part of a lifestyle, not just a role.
What is something everyone should know about your community?
Mareikura Waka Ama Club is the first waka ama club to restart in Aotearoa. We helped bring waka ama back to Māori communities and marae as a way to reconnect with the water, promote a drug-free, alcohol-free lifestyle, and strengthen whanaungatanga.
Two waka from Tahiti helped us begin, and we travelled to marae around the country to share the sport. Today, waka ama offers opportunities for everyone from five years old to over 80.
What legacy do you want to leave behind?
To stay true to the base values of waka ama and Polynesian life. For me, waka ama is a way to connect with Tangaroa, to uphold cultural ways of doing things, and to strengthen relationships. It’s not just about paddling, it’s about how we do things together.
What is a good piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
The only advice my father ever gave me was: “Look after your health.” At the time, I thought, “Is that it?” But I came to understand he meant my whole wellbeing my hinengaro, tinana, and wairua. If you are well, life is easier to navigate.
Who is a community champion you know that is awesome for their community?
In waka ama, the late Kiwi Campbell was an incredible champion. She pushed us to compete harder and lifted our sport. Her legacy remains strong. I also admire anyone who stands for environmental health and works with goodwill and good intentions.