Nationality/Iwi: Cook Island Start date: June 2022 Upokotu’s experience and expertise that has brought her to the Generator: I have been in the Call Centre and Customer Service industry for over 10 years, I am a Youth Leader for Tamaki Cook Island Youth and I also do Pastoral Work but despite my professional endeavours it has been the fact I live with Chronic Nerve Pain that has really developed me as a person. Having left my full time job, losing some movement and strength, at the same time my independence and going from a good stable income to the benefit, I know first hand what it feels like to be discouraged and have to start life all over again. I was fortunate enough to go through the Generator program myself and launch my own small business 'Married By Poko' The Generator not only helped me gain the confidence and skills to financially startup and run my own small enterprise but it helped me get my independence back. I'm passionate about serving others with love, compassion, integrity and respect and so my hopes as a Teina/Tuakana for the Generator is to give back, encourage and inspire other Pacific Islanders within my community to rise above their own challenges, reach their potential and achieve their own small business goals. Hobbies/fun facts about Upokotu: God is my ultimate inspiration in life, I love hanging out with family and friends, I enjoy listening to my husband sing and stringband with our brothers and sisters, I love designing on Canva, I studied Pattern Making and Design and Theology, I also practise mindfulness and I am an ambassador for Chronic Pain.