Annie Budd
Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia, Reimagining India with IndoGenius
Introduction
He uri tēnei nō Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, rātou ko Rangitāne, ko Ngāti Pākehā
Kia Ora, I’m Annie/Ani!
I whakapapa back to the Wairarapa but grew up in Kāpiti, and I’m currently studying at VUW towards a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Development Studies and Māori Studies.
I’m particularly interested in language development, place-based identities and grassroots strategies for improving community wellbeing. Outside of university, I enjoy supporting development initiatives for rangatahi (youth) and historical places significant to my iwi.
I’m excited to learn from diverse Indian communities about how they uplift one another, through their values and skills, and use this as inspiration for community-led development projects here in Aotearoa.
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What can slum communities teach us about community wellbeing?
Deep in the colourful labyrinths of Dharavi, I passed industrious parents, playful schoolchildren and dedicated craftspeople who brought a familiar whakatauki to the front of my mind; “He taura harakeke, ka kukumea, ā tōnā wā, ka whati. He taura tangata, ka kukumea, ahakoa ka pehea te roa, e kore rawa e ngāmotu.” (A chord made…Continue…
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Finding Whanaungatanga – Unexpected connections during my first week in India
While the humid air outside Chennai Airport filled my lungs last Sunday, I was mentally preparing myself for 6 weeks of unfamiliarity. Yet, this first week in India has brought me profound moments of connection and whanaungatanga. Unexpected bonds over food, gender, and linguistic identity grounded my mauri and uplifted my wairua, just as any…Continue…