Ieuan Griffiths

Kia ora,

Ko Ieuan tōku ingoa, nō Whanganui-a-Tara e noho ana ahau, i whānau ahau i Glasgow, Kōtirangi. Ki te taha ki tōku pāpā, nō Wera ōku tupuna, me te taha ki tōku māmā nō Ingarahi ōku tūpuna. Ngā mihi ki tōku whānau mō tōu aroha me tōu manaakitanga.

Over the last few years, I have discovered a passion for learning, connecting with others, and advocating on issues that are important to me. This wasn’t always easy for me; as someone struggling with ADHD and Tourette syndrome, it was something I had to work hard to achieve and feel confident doing. 

My whole life I have felt at odds with systems, such as school, that viewed my differences as deficiencies. It took years of personal determination and perseverance, as well as the support and advocacy from my family (especially my mum), to achieve things I never once thought possible. This has gone beyond excelling academically to becoming a prefect at my school, winning essay competitions, raising $90,000 through a student-led charity, studying Māori Studies papers with the University of Canterbury in my last year at school, and taking adult classes at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa in Te Reo Māori me ōna Tikanga.

My personal struggles have also made me recognise the challenges faced by others around me, which in turn has inspired my passion for activism on issues of social justice and inequity. So far, this has included working to introduce a neurodiverse kaupapa into my school, volunteering as a Youth Advisor with Youthline for their Wellington team, and the Kapiti Red Cross Emergency Response Deployment Team. 

My aim is to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics and Law at university to give me the skills and knowledge to influence societal and global change. I plan to undertake postgraduate study in countries where indigenous people are reclaiming their knowledge systems and beliefs. I eventually want to advocate in some capacity in policy development, legal systems, or international relations, contributing to addressing the social and political systems that perpetuate and uphold structural inequality. 

In my free time, I love to play sports! My favourite is easily snowboarding; however, I have also rowed for the last 4 years, competing at MAADI Cup 3 times. Currently, I play social football and basketball with my friends for fun.

I cannot wait to see what being part of the Pinnacle Program will bring to my journey an amazing opportunity to further develop my leadership skills, build friendships and connections, and learn more about myself.