9. Ariana George

Ariana George (Te Rarawa, Ngāti Hauā) has just completed high school and is enrolled to study Civil Engineering at Te Whare Wānanga o Tāmaki Makaurau. Ariana is passionate about empowering wāhine and Māori to believe in themselves. During high school, she has started her own tutoring business, been supported by Girl Boss and involved in various kaupapa. She has harnessed these opportunities to empower and help those around her. In the episode, she speaks on her journey to date including her mental health journey, the power in having people believe in you, what she would change within the education system to make it suit for wāhine and Māori, what she is excited about being a tauira Māori at university studying engineering. She is an inspiring and passionate wahine toa. It was a pleasure to chat with Ariana and I, for one, cannot wait to follow her as she continues her journey.