Kiribati heritage fuels Ara learner's automotive ambitions

_{Passionate about his culture Angi Teboko celebrates te taetae ni Kiribati (the Kiribati language).}

When Angimaua "Angi" Teboko first arrived in New Zealand from Kiribati with his family in 2015, he couldn't have imagined where the journey would lead.

Now living in Timaru, the Ara automotive learner is combining his passion for cars with a desire to create opportunities for himself, while staying connected to the culture that has shaped him.

This week’s Kiribati Language Week is an opportunity to celebrate the language, culture and stories of the Kiribati community in Aotearoa. For Angi, it’s also a chance to reflect on the importance of keeping his language alive.

After arriving in New Zealand, Angimaua's family settled first in Auckland before moving to Rotorua, where he spent much of his childhood and then to Timaru.

Like many young people, he left school unsure of his next step and spent two years working at Smithfield. While he valued the experience and work ethic the job gave him, he knew he wanted something more.

Cars had always played a big role in family life.

"My family has always been into cars. Growing up, there was always someone fixing something or working on an engine. It was something we enjoyed together and it became a passion for me as well."

Wanting to turn that passion into a career, Angimaua enrolled in Ara's New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Engineering programme in Timaru.

"I didn't think I'd get in when I applied. When I was accepted, it felt like a door had opened. It gave me a chance to do something I really wanted to do and to build a future for myself."

The hands-on nature of the programme has been a highlight.

"The workshop is where I feel most at home. Working on engines and learning by doing gives me confidence and motivates me to keep improving."

Angi credits the support of his tutors and classmates for helping him succeed.

"My tutor Wayne has been great. He notices when people need help and takes the time to support them. That makes a huge difference."

Away from campus, Angimaua has become part of the Timaru community, including through senior rugby, helping him build connections and friendships while studying.

He says maintaining his connection to Kiribati language and culture remains important, even while living far from home.

"My parents put in place a rule at our family home that my siblings and I were only to speak Kiribati. That has helped me keep my language alive since moving to New Zealand."

He continues to speak Kiribati with his family every day and says preserving the language is something he feels strongly about.

"It’s very important to me to speak Kiribati as I want to teach the future generation of Kiribati kids growing up in New Zealand who may not have had the same privilege I did to learn the Kiribati language and culture."

While many of his extended family members still live in Kiribati, Angi remains closely connected to family and the Kiribati community in Timaru. He hopes his story encourages other Pacific learners who may be unsure about their future.

"You don't have to have everything figured out straight away. If an opportunity comes along, take it. Back yourself, keep showing up and see where it leads."

As Kiribati Language Week is celebrated across Aotearoa, he has a simple message for the community: "Tekeraoi n wiikin te taetae ni Kiribati" (Happy Kiribati Language Week).