Going hungry, experiencing racism or witnessing a young cousin get a broom broken over him may sound like hardships encountered by the troubled Kiwi kids who Dame Cindy Kiro has helped over the years. But as the former Children’s Commissioner begins a powerful new role serving New Zealand as Governor-General, she’s opening up about the trauma of such scenarios in her own childhood.
“It’s a big motivation,” she tells the Weekly. “I learned early on that I’d never tolerate violence in my household because I didn’t want that feeling of constantly being on-guard and never feeling safe. I don’t want other children to go through it.”
Cindy’s Māori mother was only 20 when she and Cindy’s British father welcomed her in 1958, so under a whāngai arrangement, Cindy spent her first three years with her grandparents, who had a “profound and lasting” impact.
Returning to her parents, Cindy became big sister to five siblings. At 11, she ran away back to her grandparents, where she was also the oldest. “In both my family groupings, I was the eldest, so was expected to care for others. When you’re 11 and have to change your siblings’ nappies or make their meals, that’s not fun.”
Although her father, who she credits for her interest in reading and world affairs, and grandparents were hard working manual labourers, the family struggled financially.
“You wouldn’t think so looking at me these days, but I know what it’s like to be hungry and how much pressure that puts adults under,” she says.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 14, 2021 من New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 14, 2021 من New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Mamma's milk bar WENDY'S HERBAL HELPER
When she had trouble breastfeeding, she found a solution that's got mums pumped
IVF egg-swap babies 'IT WAS THE BEST DECISION!'
In a bid for a deeper connection, the loving couple carried each other's baby and sometimes feed the other one's bub too!
Ahoy there, Verity! THE PIRATE OF GARNET STATION
The local legend's making a swashbuckling return to the stage
Take Two & add a farm! HOW DANIELLE FOUND HER BLISS
The Kiwi author's country crush is contagious and has led to some bestsellers
Nobody mention air fryers 'THE GADGET WE CAN'T AGREE ON!'
Parents Andrea and Mark run their busy households in very different ways
Bonnie's next chapter 'QUEEN CAMILLA MADE ME CONFESS!'
The bestselling author's next project is top secret... to everyone but Her Majesty
Davida and the Dames OUR MOTHER'S DAY MAGIC
It's a special celebration for Miranda Harcourt and her daughter - their beloved matriach Kate is back on her feet
NO GOING BACK
Harry's preserving his dignity after having to move out of home
Carole's a real queen! WILLIAM'S GO-TO IN A CRISIS
The heir and his mother-in-law have become firm friends as they care for Kate and the kids
It takes a village HEATHER'S MOTHERHOOD SECRETS
She may have lost herself a little, but the radio star's embracing life with Iggy