Hinu's heritage is Maori, Samoan, Portuguese, German & Irish. Her passion is the art's and supporting artists in Whangarei and the wider Northland community. To have her be part of our Who I Am Project and photograph her is such a special honour.

Originally wanting to do her photoshoot with her daughter, who's busy in Wellington. Hinu decided to go ahead and so it just for herself.

While she was having her hair and make up done, we listened to her upbringing, her childhood, her mother and the tenacity and elegance she inherited from her. From our conversation I learnt more about the importance of knowing your whakapapa and the confidence in knowing yourself too.