Currently the chair of Ruapotaka Marae, Lavinia McGee-Repia helps hold the community that held her throughout childhood and adolescence (GI hard!). She comes from a big family and an even bigger extended whānau; they are her why and inspire her to always be a force for good in the community. As a proud wahine Māori, Lavinia stands tall in her heritage knowing that no matter the event or its scale, her people can come together, organise and act.