Meet Student Ambassador: Malindi Reihana-Ruka

My name is Malindi Reihana-Ruka, I am 16 years old, in Year 12 and go to a small school in Kerikeri, New Zealand called Springbank School. I live at a beach 30 minutes north of Kerikeri with my mum, dad, dog and host brother Luis.

I love living in Northland, especially as I live at one of Northland’s most amazing beaches. Growing up here, I really had no idea how lucky I was until I travelled to some other places in the world where surfing, diving, horse riding etc is not the almost  every day activity it is for me here, and I realised just how much I sometimes take my Northland backyard for granted.

Growing up as an only child sometimes meant I was a little bit lonely as most of my friends lived in town so when we got the opportunity to host an International Student my parents thought it would be a great idea as I would have the company of an older host sibling.  I was 7 years old when our first International Student joined our family, and even though it sounded like a great idea, initially I was not that keen as I very quickly learnt I had to share my parents attention.

We have been hosting International Students for nine years now and I cannot believe how lucky I am to have so many host sisters and now a host brother from all over the world as last year Luis joined our family and even though at the time, I was not that sure what I really thought about the idea of hosting a boy, once he arrived, it was like a brother had just popped into my life. 

We argue, fight and annoy each other like real siblings do.  But also, we have heaps of fun doing activities like walking, swimming and adventuring with our dog around the beaches and native bush that surrounds our place.  We also go paddle boarding and jumping into the sea off rock cliffs. I am so grateful that I have the company of Luis during this lockdown period as every single day something new and exciting happens!

My go to boredom busters are, hanging out with my friends and virtually any outdoor activity. With my favourite passions being horse riding, especially bringing my horse down to the beach, and surfing as it is almost guaranteed that there is a surf somewhere at one of Northlands many beaches.