Tame-Cole Satele – RNZCT Scholarship + UBIQ Voucher. LLB/BGlobalST conjoint degree – University of Auckland

As a non-binary transgender student residing in an all-boys school – there were inevitable challenges Tame-Cole would have to overcome; “I see myself as a proponent of change which will promote a culture of diversity so severely lacking from educational institutions on a whole”.

Tame-Cole has spoken in the halls of parliament during their tenure as Youth MP under the Hon. Minister David Parker, their tenure saw nationwide coverage, being featured in a number of newspaper bulletins and online articles detailing the election. Since then they have spoken at a number of nationwide teachers’ conferences such as ULearn where they were a guest panel speaker speaking to their experience as a queer, Akonga Maori in a colonial, heteronormative education system.

They are also one of seven rangatahi who sit as youth board members and previous chairman of the Moko Foundation National Youth Board – a kaupapa run by Rangatahi, for Rangatahi. They also sit as a presiding member of Te Ara Tohu Pumannawa Taiohi – or the Waikato Youth Secondary Tertiary Advisory Group (YSTAG) Youth Board which advises the Ministry of Education at a regional level. This follows a brief stint sitting on the Ministry of Education’s Select Committee in 2019.

Tame-Cole also made history at becoming the first ever elected Student Leader of Inclusivity at Hamilton Boys’ High School. Besides this they were also busy undertaking tutoring initiatives at their school; being both a Refugee H/W centre tutor, Nga Mangai Māori Academic Excellence student, and S.A.S.H. mentor.

“I consider myself deeply involved in social justice demonstrations and always willing to give my visible support to any kaupapa which I align myself with. And I believe it is my station as both Takatapui and Fa’afafine which drive my passion to make those measurable changes in the world – and I let no institution bar me from realizing that call to action.

With an excellent academic record they intend on studying a conjoint degree in Global studies and Law. “I’ve always tried to consolidate the intersections of my cultural identity. In a sense, diplomacy started at birth for me. And undertaking this proposed study pathway is a way to realize a call I feel has been beckoned to me by my tupuna here at home, and my aiga back in the islands. My degree pathway also allows for me to continue my language studies as well as the opportunity to fulfill a placement study in my area of choice – something hugely important to me as an aspiring diplomat”.

Tame-Cole certainly has an exciting and inspiring path ahead of them! We can’t wait to see their name making wakes in both Rainbow and political circles.