Dominique Takimoana – growth through mentorship 

I am incredibly grateful to the Kāmahi Trust for giving me the opportunity to be mentored by Rebecca. Over the course of our four sessions, I experienced a level of support that genuinely allowed me to open up in a way I don’t often do. From the very beginning, she created an environment where I felt safe to speak freely about my thoughts, my fears, and my aspirations. She listened with patience and care, and the way she responded was always thoughtful, honest, and encouraging. I never felt judged or shut down, only supported, which made a huge difference for me. One of the things that stood out most was how quickly she was able to understand who I am at my core. 

In our first session, she asked me four simple questions about my life, my future, what might get in the way, and what truly matters to me. Those questions opened conversations that helped me reflect more deeply on myself than I had before. I spoke about the strong responsibility I feel, especially as a Polynesian student, to uplift others around me. I want to make things easier for other Polynesian students who come after me. Not just to succeed for myself, but to create a pathway that others can follow. I want to leave something behind that helps others step forward with more confidence and more opportunity. That sense of purpose is something I carry with pride. 

At the same time, I was honest about the parts of myself that I struggle with, like speaking up, putting myself forward, and approaching new people. I have often seen myself as someone who stays in the background. But Rebecca challenged that view straight away. She told me that she saw a natural leader in me. Hearing that was powerful, because it did not match how I had been seeing myself. It made me pause and really think about who I am and who I could be. I felt seen in a way that I had not experienced before, and that has stayed with me. The goals she set for me reflected that belief in me. They pushed me outside of my comfort zone in ways I would not have chosen on my own, but in ways that I needed. Writing about my future as if I am already living it helped me start thinking differently about what is possible. Going first in a meeting and approaching people with confidence were small actions, but for me, they were big steps. Each challenge helped me build confidence and start backing myself more. 

This experience has meant a lot to me. It is not just about what I learned in those sessions, but how I now see myself and the role I want to play for others. I am truly thankful to Rebecca for the way she supported and guided me, and to the Kāmahi Trust for making this opportunity possible. The impact of being heard, challenged, and genuinely seen is something I will carry with me moving forward.