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In just three short years since finishing high school, Manaia went from joining the Black Ferns Sevens in 2021 to playing on an international field for her debut Games in Paris. She says the extraordinary experience of living her dream filled her with mana and being part of the New Zealand team is a memory she’ll cherish forever.

“The atmosphere was electrifying, with around 66,000 people at each of our matches – even thinking about it now gives me goosebumps! Representing my Māori culture during the Haka and throughout our time in the Village was very meaningful. Winning gold was the perfect pinnacle of all the sacrifices, tears and hard work. Every challenge we faced was worth it.”

After spending her childhood playing just about every sport imaginable, from touch to netball, athletics, soccer, t-ball and table tennis, the 22-year-old made the transition from touch to rugby sevens at the age of 15.

“I’ve always been passionate about sports and grew up dreaming of becoming a professional sportswoman. I wasn’t sure which sport I’d end up representing, but once I discovered that rugby sevens was a professional, paid sport, I knew right then that it would be my future career.”

Her love for sports initially guided her academic pursuits, but Manaia’s journey was one of trial and error to find the path toward her true passions.

“Naturally I was drawn to pursue a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise, but it took me a few years to fully commit to this field. I explored other interests, such as online courses in interior design, and while I enjoyed these pursuits, I realised they didn’t fit with my rugby training schedule. This period of exploration helped me deepen my interest in sport and exercise, and now I’m grateful to be studying it.”

Alongside her bachelor’s degree, Manaia is also studying toward a Diploma in Arts to deepen her connection with Te Ao Māori, finding that distance study has been the key to balancing both fields of study.

“Pursuing a Diploma in Arts allows me to uphold Te Ao Māori values and contribute to keeping the language alive. Studying online with Massey has made it easier for me to achieve my academic goals due to its strong commitment to Māori culture and the supportive academic environment. This flexibility enables me to thrive and stay connected to my studies, no matter where I am in the world.”

Balancing sport, study and life has its challenges, but Manaia says the support she has received during her time with Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa ������Դ has made all the difference.

“My tutors have been incredibly supportive and are always willing to accommodate my busy schedule. Their flexibility has been invaluable in helping me keep on top of my assignments and workload, alongside training and competitions.”

Currently living in Tauranga, Manaia makes sure to schedule down time, whether that be going for walks with her dogs, reading, swimming at the beach or spending time with friends and family. She says learning to prioritise her mental wellbeing has been crucial.

“It really shapes how I show up each day, affecting everything from how I tackle challenges to how I interact with others. By taking care of my mental health, I find I can stay balanced and move through life a lot easier.”

Her advice for other student athletes is to always keep your ‘why’ in mind.

“It’s definitely not easy, but if you keep reminding yourself why you’re studying what you’re studying and maintain a genuine passion for it, it’ll be worth it in the end. The challenges become more manageable when you’re driven by a strong sense of purpose – which is also true for life in general!”