Recipient in search for a solution

Tazmyn Katene-Ashford is very clear about what direction she is taking in life – she is heading straight for New Zealand’s prisons.

The first recipient of the PKW-Marsh Scholarship is determined to lead the kōrero she feels is essential to finding solutions for the issue of Māori over-representation in the criminal system.

“I look at the statistics, the prison rates, the criminal convictions and I think ‘what is happening to us?’” she says. “At the moment, the assumption is that being Māori is where the problem lies, but I believe that Māori also hold the solution – we just need to talk and hear the stories so we know what needs to be done.”

Tazmyn (Ngāruahine, Ngāti Ruanui and Ngāti Toa Rangatira) is Taranaki born and bred, raised and nurtured by many whanuanga between Pātea and Manaia. Her mother Nanci-Lee Katene is a PKW shareholder.

While she was pushed into the mainstream education-wise, she had the privilege to learn tikanga Māori through her whānau at local iwi, hapū and marae activities, where Tazmyn was keen to get involved.

“I’ve always enjoyed being out the back in the kitchen with all the aunties,” she laughs. “You learn everything out there, hear all the stories and the gossip.”

“They think that all the talk out front makes the decisions – it’s not, it’s the aunties doing the washing-up who decide!”

While at high school, Tazmyn regularly volunteered her time and services at local kaumātua days or Rangatahi/ Tamariki Activity Days.

With a community ethos like that, it’s no surprise that this vivacious wahine wants to do something with her life to help her people.

“I have always wanted to study something like forensic or criminal psychology so I can help to find the solutions that will keep Māori out of prisons and contributing to their communities,” she says.

Currently studying Psychology and Criminal Justice at Victoria University in Wellington, Tazmyn was overwhelmed when she received the call to say she had won the $2,500 scholarship.

“I couldn’t believe it, I kept asking if they had the right person,” she says. “It’s going to make such a difference to me. I found my first year of uni really hard.”

“The change of lifestyle from country kid to city slicker was overwhelming and I found the expense of living in the city a real eye-opener.”

“This year I have been able to bring new focus to my studies and the scholarship will make a real difference, both financially and educationally.

“I would like to say thank you to Parininihi ki Waitotara Trust and Marsh Insurance, on behalf of both myself and my family, for providing me with this opportunity. Also, I would like to acknowledge the many people who have supported, helped and guided me throughout my life to get me where I am, words cannot express my gratitude to each and every one of you.”

Tazmyn intends to complete her undergraduate studies in two years’ time and then embark on a postgraduate qualification on forensic psychology before hopefully working for the Ministry of Justice in some capacity.

She is also looking forward to the practical experience she will gain when she carries out a four- to six-week internship with Marsh in the future.

“Gaining some real-life work experience will be invaluable and I am looking forward to learning more about the insurance industry,” she says.

The scholarship was created as part of the new strategic procurement process which asks suppliers how they can add value to the partnership. It consists of a $2500 annual grant and internship opportunity.

“When considering the applicants for this opportunity, Tazmyn stood out for her contribution to her community and the fact she was keen to pursue a career that not many of our people go into,” says Mitchell Ritai, PKW General Manager Shareholder Engagement. “She demonstrated her passion for helping her people and her dedication to her goals.”

“As the world’s leading business and risk advisor we are involved in a range of areas including risk, insurance, engineering, human resources, finance, and legal and compliance and we are looking forward to be able to give Tazmyn an insight into all these areas during her internship,” says Kevin Kerr, Taranaki Regional

Manager at Marsh “Our People side of the business, which deals with health and wellness, ACC claims management and return to work, maybe of special interest as they are particularly relevant to her areas of study.

“We are pleased to be involved inTazmyn’s continued development.”