Kia Orana! I’m Fania Kapao, and I’m honoured to be running for the Whau Local Board! I grew up in Avondale, attended St Mary’s, went to the Sunday Market and played sports at the racecourse. Two decades later, I watch my siblings do the same. I’m standing to uplift rangatahi like them, to give back to the place that raised me and help brighten the future of this community. I’m committed to social justice, equity, and community-led change. I served as a Youth MP, on the Whau Youth Board, mentored at-risk youth and advocated for the welfare of postgraduate students as their elected Vice-president at Auckland University’s Student Association. I now work as a union organiser, supporting workers across Tāmaki Makaurau alongside finishing my Master’s in Indigenous Studies. I may be young, but I share a deep love for our Whau and want to bring fresh perspectives to our board.