Taneshia Gill steps up

August 2022

Taneshia Gill has some big boots to fill, but she is up for the challenge.

She has taken over as kaiwhakahaere/manager of the Flaxmere Community Centre while Anahera McClutchie is away on a year’s maternity leave.

Born and raised in Flaxmere, Taneshia is Pā Harakeke through and through. “I love this community and our people. They are so genuine – you certainly know how they feel about things. If they don’t like something you know about it; but if it’s something good they will fully support.”

The 29-year-old is now bringing up her family in Flaxmere; juggling her two youngsters aged 10 and 6 with her commitment to the centre. “I couldn’t do it without my parents and parents of my best mate, who support me by helping with the kids.”

Working with Anahera over the last five years as the youth co-ordinator, she has seen huge change at the centre; particularly the numbers of people showing up to use it.

On any given day hundreds of people turn up for a whole range of reasons. “We’d have more than 100 kids from age 5 to 12 a day alone – after school can be hugely busy.”

Programme coordinators set up dodge ball in the sports hall with crowds of kids flocking in to play. Then there are the teens and adults turning up for a huge range of activities from playing basketball to using the gym, and the seniors attending daily classes put on for them, followed by a cup of tea and a chat in the whare kai. “The nannies love it – it’s somewhere they can catch up while their mokopuna are at school, do a bit of exercise and connect with their peers.”

The biggest challenge for Taneshia over the next 12 months will be to factor in the growth that will come with the new housing going up in Flaxmere. “It’s about knowing the community and making sure we have the capacity and room for growth to accommodate everyone.

“We have everything from cooking classes and chess, to sports and exercise, as well as community support things like Nourished for Nil. We need to make sure we keep on talking to our people, taking on their ideas and then implementing them.”

At age 29, this dynamo has what it takes to tackle the job.