Three years after the massacre that took the lives of 51 shuhada (martyrs) during Jummah (Friday) prayers in Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand, the United Nations designated 15 March to be International Day To Combat Islamophobia.

Five years ago, my world shifted in little old ‘peaceful’ New Zealand — to a place where my identity was no longer just one of where I could not belong, but one where my very existence could be threatened.

What do you actually do when you do governance? Is governance sexy? The day to day tasks of governance can look decidedly ‘unsexy’ – it requires research, preparation, and constant upskilling to ensure that you have the skills and information necessary to make significant strategic decisions that can have intergenerational consequences.

What is governance? When advocating for equity and representation in governance, I am referring to governance as a broader concept of influence, power, and decision making. While strengths and passions of all may not be suited to being ‘governors’, understanding governance and how decisions are made is important for all of us.

Yesterday we honoured the memory of the 51 shuhadha (martyrs) marking 2 years since the Christchurch terror attacks. Alongside the grief of loss for them and their loved ones, is another pervasive grief that I have been carrying and I know I am not alone in carrying it. The attacks shook my sense of identity and belonging in Aotearoa.

This one is for all the wāhine (women) of colour. I have always written poetry to process my thoughts though I’ve recently been encouraged to share this. Wishing we can all love and embrace ourselves in all our beautiful, passionate glory.