Ayla & the Hoeta Twins

Profile / taku korero:

Ko Taupiri te maunga

Ko Waikato te awa

Ko Ngati Tahinga te hapu

Ko Nga Hau E wha te marae

Ko Mikaera raua ko Kaperiera oku tamaiti

Ko Ayla Hoeta toku ingoa

Kia ora my name is Ayla, I'm 26 and I'm from Pukekohe, south Auckland. I am a Māori woman with a unique blend of skills as a recent graduate of Communication Studies with First Class Honours and past Research Assistant at AUT University. I have lived in south Auckland all my life and am blessed to now be working in my community. I work for TSI (The Southern Initiative), Auckland Council, and we take care of community and social innovation for all of South Auckland. 

My skills are in digital media and communications; web, video, graphic design and social media and my passion is Maori development. I use my skills to enhance kaupapa Maori through story telling and promoting tikanga Maori in a positive and 'modern' way. I also pick up freelance work when I can. 

I love working in a team and helping others to reach their full potential. My long term goal is to contribute more to the effectiveness of higher education for young Maori, and one day soon this will be the focus of my doctorate studies.

The title of my recently completed honours thesis is - 'Rangatahi ♥ Social Media: A Kaupapa Māori Analysis of Discourses from Facebook Communities aimed at Rangatahi Māori'.

This research focuses on the social media trends of Māori youth in particular and New Zealand youth in general. The aim was to explore the ways in which rangatahi/youth engage in social media for the purposes of expressing cultural identity. My research confirmed that social media is more likely used by rangatahi to initiate offline kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face contact) to enhance cultural expression. A full copy of this work can be accessed  to the left. Please contact me if you would like further information.