For Jewell Carlson, her time as a Growing the Puna intern was filled with memorable lessons in connection with people and the taiao. One moment that stands out is a bike ride that didn’t go quite as planned. After taking a tumble and breaking her rib, Jewell found herself walking alongside Stevie and Crystal for over four hours. The slower pace became a blessing in disguise, opening space for kōrero and learning.

“Stevie would make us stop every time we heard a bird so we could guess what it was. I learned so much from them in that moment,” Jewell recalls.

Today, Jewell is an Active Recreation Advisor at Sport Hawke’s Bay, working with rangatahi who don’t always find their place in traditional sport. Her role focuses on creating fun and inclusive opportunities to be active, from lunchtime games at schools, to girls clubs, outdoor adventures, and unique experiences like aqua sessions or trips up Te Mata Peak.

“We work a lot with Te Whare Tapa Whā, and it’s all about finding new avenues for young people to connect with movement in a way they enjoy,” she says.

A highlight of her mahi has been the Mana Wāhine haerenga, which aimed to empower 10 rangatahi to design and run their own active recreation initiatives. From pickleball to a pool day with vision-impaired rangatahi, Jewell says seeing their ideas come to life is inspiring.

Jewell credits her Growing the Puna experience with deepening her appreciation for the taiao as a space for connection.

“It’s so much better than being in a room. Learning about the plants and their healing properties, that’s one of my favourite things to share with rangatahi now,” she explains.

Outside of mahi, Jewell stays grounded by spending time with her siblings, often watching or joining in their training sessions. And when she’s not on the sidelines, you might find her on the pickleball court.

From wānanga around the fire to natural hot springs and new adventures in active recreation, Jewell’s journey shows how the Growing the Puna kaupapa continues to inspire into her mahi and community today.

If you’re keen to have an opportunity like Jewell’s, Toi Tangata has four 10-week Summer Internships available. This year’s kaupapa will include projects in Diving safety and practices, Kauora connection to tūpuna through swimming, tākaro, and kori. Applications open 20 September 2025 and close 10 October 2025. This is an awesome opportunity for tauira and emerging leaders to gain hands-on experience, grow their skills, and connect with kaupapa Māori approaches to Hauora.