So long farewell auf wiedersehen goodbye

The following are some words from our Missioner, Peter Osborne, in farewell of Kristina Muller this week.

Kirstina as I was thinking about today I thought back to your interview .   We interviewed you for a youth mentoring position back in March 2019.  I remember a young, reserved wahine who didn’t necessarily say a lot but what you did say certainly connected with us.

Seven years later, you’re older, you have grown in confidence and you talk a lot more…  which I must say it’s been a privilege to watch you grow as a professional.   

As I looked back at your interview notes I was reminded again just how much you had packed into your life.  You had worked in film and TV, graphics and web design, in childhood education, you had worked in Melbourne, India, Bali and studied in United States. 

You arrived with a wealth of experience and wisdom which has just added to our life here at Mahi Mihinare.   One of the questions we asked you at your interview was, “What do you consider to be mentoring?”  You said, “figuring out why are we here in this situation,  Not only what has happened, but why has it happened.”

Your answer connected with me at the time and is a question you have continued to ask us over and over again.  Kristina, you have continued to get us to think about why has it happened, why are we in this situation.  Whether that’s at an individual level or a corporate level.   

I have so appreciated that you have ensured that we as a Mission and individuals continue to wrestle with the why.  Why is there such injustice in this nation.  Why is it that Māori are overrepresented in all of our mahi?   And yes, we as Pakeha have been and are resistant to holding up that mirror to think about how we have contributed to the injustice and trauma that we as a nation have experienced and continue to inflict on others. And yet Kristina,  I have never felt judged by you.  Rather you have inspired me and us I believe to acknowledge our realities, deal with our own stuff and to keep learning what it means to be in partnership. 

I think of what you have achieved in your roles here and in particular your Kaikōkiri Māori role. 

I know you haven’t done it all alone.   I think of Nga Pou Whaiora.  I know that Raewyn from Noted so loved working with you and Rob as you created the framework.  You inspired Raewyn and others on that team.   Wahi Awhina and all that is and can be.  All the IT and training programmes you have created, all to ensure that we are consistently being the best that we can be in the way we work with tangata whaiora in our care.   

Kristina, I also want to acknowledge the cost to you for being in a such a role.  Being young, and wahine, often you have had to fight to be acknowledged in a male dominated world, and I feel sad about that.  Being someone who has very high expectations of others and yourself, means you have often felt frustrated and let down when we just don’t get it or follow through.  I am sorry about those times.  

And then there’s Kapa Haka.  How you persevered with us who can’t sing, who can’t get our hands and feet to go where they’re supposed to go,  when they’re supposed to, plus deal with the fact that some didn’t want to be there at all is all testament to who you are.

You got up each week despite not wanting to at times, but you got up because you knew it was the right thing to do.  Thank you!

 I am going to miss your insight and wisdom. I am going to miss your passion and the vision you have for Aotearoa. 

I am going to miss your laughter.  It was always great to hear the laughter come out of your office particularly when Michelle was in there with you.   

It has been beautiful to watch you two together.  

As you begin the next chapter of your career remain true to who you are, stay hopeful, and keep being the change you want others to be.  Take some of the learnings from this place.  I know you have had to learn patience and enjoy the next stage of your journey.

Kia kaha