Rachel Axis Taane Tinorau

Ko wai ahau?

Ko Pindus te maunga

Ko Acheron te awa

I ahu mai ōku tūpuna i te whenua o Kariki, no tēra whenua hoki ahau

Kei te ako tonu ahau i taku whakapapa Kariki 

Ko Axis tōku ingoa whānau

Ko Dimitris Axis tōku pāpa

Ko Deborah Pasco tōku māma

I tipu mai au i Ōtautahi, engari kei Pāpāmoa mātou ko taku whānau e noho ana ināianei

Ko Tiki Taane-Tinorau tōku hoa rangatira

Ko Ngāti Maniapoto tōna iwi

Ko Tokikapu tōna marae

Tokorua aku tamariki, ko Charlie Te Marama raūa ko Karcia Ann

Ko Rachel Axis Taane Tinoruau ahau, e mihi atu ki a koutou.

What do you love doing in your spare time?

Moe (sleep)! Haha. In the warmer months, it’s spending time soaking up the rays of Rā (the sun) by the moana (the ocean) with my whānau (family)

We live in one of the most beautiful places on the planet so I like to explore the whenua (land).

I love travelling, and have the privilege of doing this with my husband, Tiki. Tiki is a musician, and I feel very blessed to be able to explore the planet with our tamariki (children). I also enjoy sharing my journey through trauma & addiction to recovery and now as a registered social worker, as a public speaker and host for events, to provide hope, insight and understanding to why people become addicted to substances/behaviours. I also like to bring hope to those who have loved ones stuck in that space.  

How do you start your mornings? What’s your go to breakfast?

My mornings are often a tornado of panic because I’m not a morning person and struggle to get out of bed. I set my alarm but I never get up to it, my husband loves this about me hahaha.

Breakfast wise, I actually sell arbonne products as they have been such a huge help for my health and endometriosis, so during the week I make my shake to have on the go. In the weekends, my daughter often cooks us scrambled eggs or pancakes.

What does self-care look like for you and do you think it’s important?

Self care for me is important, especially as a practicing social worker. Self care for me is keeping an open mind, forever learning and forever healing. Self care is attending supervision and being honest.

Personally, I’m not really a high maintenance person in terms of beauty needs but I do enjoy having lashes so I take time out to have those done and catch up with my friend Trish, who does them for me.

A balance is important for me, so eating healthy 70-80% of the time works well. The other 20-30% is what I want, without any guilt.

I exercise because I can, and am privileged with a body that allows me to.

What’s your favourite way to move?

I’m not good at it, but kanikani (dance)

Resistance training (weights) & boxing.

My last fight was 5 years ago but is something I’m going to do again.

What keeps you ryzn?

My whānau. Strong whānau values and aroha for myself & others. Remembering who I am, what I have overcome in my life and what I have achieved. And that I have so many exciting things to look forward to in the future.

If you could give your younger self or anyone else a piece of advice, what would it be?

“I am not who you think I am; I am not who I think I am; I am who I think you think I am”. let go of the fear of what you think others think of you.

Explore what YOUR values and morals are, and stick to them. Unless they harm yourself, people, animals or Papatūānuku (our earth mother). Do good and be kind, stay open minded. Listen more.

Visit your grandparents/elders more often.

Learn your whakapapa, identity is important.

Look out for your mates, and learn about consent. Say “no” more often, but “yes” to exciting opportunities that help you grow.

Boundaries are important, so get to know yourself and have healthy boundaries.

If someone hurts you, it’s not your fault. But it is your responsibility to heal. Alcohol and drugs won’t heal you, therapy will.

There is so much support out there for you, you are worth it and you deserve happiness.

Lastly, love yourself. If you want to fly like an eagle, you can’t if you’re kickin it with turkeys.