Neomai Maka is a high school teacher in Auckland, New Zealand.
She was born and raised in South Auckland, New Zealand. Her parents originate from the villages of Fua’amotu and Tatakamotonga in Tonga. She comes from a family with 6 siblings the youngest being her adopted 6 year old sister who is the centre of her world.
She has a varied background in education and advocacy. From being the cultural officer in the Pacific Island Students Association to being the President of The Red Cross student branch at The University of Auckland. She has also been an Engineering Student Ambassador for the University. She has joined various mentoring programmes from the university working with high school students to provide extra tutoring and career advice.
She spent her first year of teaching overseas in Tonga at Queen Salote College. While she was there she volunteered for Camp Glow which was a programme aimed at empowering Tongan girls to goal set and aim for self-improvement.
Neomai is passionate about helping her community in whatever way she can. She has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. She has been the Auckland-Manukau Youth Convenor for the Methodist Church of New Zealand and has a long history of working with youth in Vahefonua – The Tongan branch of the Methodist Church of New Zealand.
Her hobbies include coffee, reading and writing. Neomai is passionate about travelling – she has travelled around the Middle East, Europe, the Pacific Islands and America on her own. Neomai is a cultural freak and loves learning about different people and cultural practices when she travels.