Dreaming with the Kupa‑Wichman Whānau

The Kupa-Wichman whānau have been a part of the I Have a Dream journey since the programme began in Whangārei 10 years ago. Their 4 children are enrolled as Dreamers across three Year levels at two I Have a Dream partner schools. Tikipunga High School students Year 13 Tearii Kupa‑Wichman, his sister Year 11 student Pahemata as well as Tikipunga Primary School Year 3 twin sisters Irihapeti and Tapuatua, have all grown up with the programme.

They have become familiar faces to our audience over the years, beginning with Tearii appearing on our website as an eight‑year‑old and now featuring in photography on the two caravans our Navigators work from at Totara Grove School and Tikipunga Primary School.

Their parents, Abenzar Wichman and Chrissy Kupa‑Wichman, are strong supporters of I Have a Dream and see it as a vital part of the wider network uplifting their whānau that includes their schools, their friends, and the Tikipunga community.

Chrissy says they have always encouraged their kids not to let society “box them in,” and she values how I Have a Dream offers them opportunities they might not otherwise experience.

She added that the long‑term support model has been very beneficial as the children have navigated each age and stage, from their early years at Tikipunga Primary School through the transition to intermediate and high school, and into their senior years. I Have a Dream working in close partnership with teachers, with Navigators providing extra learning support and guidance with exploring pathways has made a real difference for the children, and for them as parents too. Chrissy explained that it has been helpful having others in their corner.

One of I Have a Dream’s greatest strengths, Chrissy believes, is the way Navigators build relationships and connect with each child. Whether through sport, music or creative interests, each of her four children has had someone who truly sees them.

“I definitely appreciate that the Navigators my kids have had all find ways to connect with them as individuals, rather than just on a surface level,” said Chrissy. The twins’ first Navigator was Naomi Bromberg, and Chrissy said she always acknowledged their individuality. “Their personalities are very different. Iri is creative, very much like my oldest daughter, and when she’s in unfamiliar spaces she can be slightly reserved. Tapu is the very sociable one, much like her brother. So knowing that they are seen and heard matters.”

Earlier this year, Pahemata created a vision board and began taking her future more seriously after conversations with her Navigator, Rose Welsh, who helped her think through possible career paths and choose subjects that aligned with her goals. “Rose has been very instrumental in helping her because she wasn’t feeling confident in maths, and when Pahemata started after‑school tutoring with her, we noticed a big shift in her ability and confidence.”

Thanks to this support, Chrissy said Pahemata is now considering dermatology as a career path and has taken sciences this year because she knows she can succeed with the right help. “That was a standout for me,” said Chrissy. “She is still very much a creative person, but her mindset has shifted and she’s thinking bigger.”

Chrissy also appreciated Rose’s flexibility around whānau and cultural commitments and said she would feel comfortable reaching out to any of their Navigators because nothing is ever too big to ask. She also acknowledged the support Tearii has received from both his teachers and his Navigators, from Te Aranga Hopa through volleyball and kapa haka, from Dwayne Tainui with music, and now from Bradee Taituha in the Pathways Programme. Knowing he has so many trusted people he can connect with, talk to and rely on gives her enormous comfort.

Chrissy also recalled how supported she felt when Whaea Lucia reached out about Tearii’s Otago trip a couple of years ago. “She sat us down and explained it to us and what the experience was about, and I just saw that it was another opportunity to experience spaces, places and faces.”

As a junior Dreamer, Tearii told us he wanted to join the army. Over the years he explored several different pathways, and with encouragement from Tikipunga High School Services Academy Director, Kaha Cassidy, he joined the Services Academy programme. The Services Academy is run within secondary schools in partnership with the New Zealand Defence Force. The aim is to open future pathways for priority students by strengthening their NCEA achievement and developing their leadership, confidence and life skills.

Tearii said he loved the Services Academy experience at Whenuapai and is now seriously considering joining the Airforce and pursuing aviation engineering.

He was also awarded the Peers Choice Award at the Services Academy Induction graduation, an honour bestowed on him by his squadron members, made up of 38 students from Tikipunga High School and two Auckland schools.

Chrissy said she was incredibly proud of Tearii, who is also a school prefect, though not surprised, because of the way he is able to connect and relate to people.

The whānau are still leaving the doors open to other opportunities and recently completed a scholarship application for Tearii to revisit Otago University before he confirms his next step.

Chrissy says they are anticipating big changes as their children continue to grow and choose their own directions, but they feel confident knowing all four have strong foundations thanks to the support they receive from their schools and from I Have a Dream. For her, the heart of the programme is simple: every child learns differently, and I Have a Dream helps them discover what they’re passionate about and believe in what’s possible.