Te Maori: Another brick in success wall

Tania Tapsell says setting goals is important.

If there is one thing Tania Tapsell knows, it's how to build a "wall of success" - the Rotorua district councillor has been doing it most of her life.

At just 21, it may seem Miss Tapsell has come from the political wilderness or perhaps, to those who don't know her, she has little or no experience. But that couldn't be further from the truth, especially when you consider she is the great-niece of Sir Peter Tapsell, the first Maori Speaker of the House.

In fact those who may have thought she decided on a whim to run for council have it wrong as well.

"I kind of found my own way towards politics, but it has helped having [a political] background in my family and having the support of my family.

"I had decided when I was 14, when I was on the youth council that I wanted to become a councillor ... then from there I accomplished a few things to prepare myself for this.

"So this year I thought, I'm ready now."

Some of those things she did to get herself prepared were to get involved in the community and study towards a Bachelor of Management at Waikato University, which she has nearly completed.

A Te Arawa descendant, Miss Tapsell knew it wasn't going to be easy to convince people she was ready to take up the challenge of council. However, she didn't have to convince her whanau she was serious about her goal.

"When I told my parents I was running for council they kind of said, 'Oh okay'. But they know me enough to know that when I say I'm going to do something, I'm going to give it 100 per cent."

Setting a goal like running for council is nothing new to Miss Tapsell.

"Goal setting is really big for me. One of the things I used to do as a child was draw on my wall. I'd write all the things I want to achieve and then I'd write it in a brick and then once I'd achieve that, I'd write another brick on top of what the next step would be. So eventually I'd build my own wall of success."

The former Rotorua Girls' High School student, who left at 16 to attend Waiariki Institute of Technology, said she knew she would have to work really hard during her campaign if she were to be successful.

"There were many, many long days and late nights and pretty much as soon as the sun came up and went down. I was out there doing something in regards to campaigning.

"It was difficult as well because I was also juggling my uni studies and also juggling sport. It was hard but it's one of those things if you love it you enjoy it."

The hard work paid off with the Maori Under-21 mixed touch team representative securing 8234 votes and placing fifth from 12 elected councillors. She also achieved the honour of being the youngest councillor elected in the history of Rotorua's local body politics.

However, Miss Tapsell is under no illusion being a councillor will be a lot more difficult than running for council but she is prepared to do the hard yards. "Overall I have a vision for Rotorua and that vision is it will be a great place to live, to learn and then to work. I want Rotorua to be a great place to live and for people to own their own homes ... and also, I really support education."

With the drive Miss Tapsell has, it's hard not to see her adding another brick to her wall of success.