Community Champion Spotlight: Justine Robin

Each month, Healthy Families East Cape like to put the spotlight on a community champion, someone working within our Tairāwhiti community who is supporting, creating positive and transformational change towards the wellbeing of all people in our rohe.  

This month, we are putting the spotlight on Comet Swim Instructor, Justine Robin. 

As a swim instructor at Comet Swimming Club, Justine plays a vital role in prevention by teaching tamariki water safety and confidence. Her mahi helps reduce the risk of drowning and injury, ensuring our whānau can enjoy the water safely for years to come, adding another activity for whānau to experience together, create relationship ties and physical activity opportunities into the future.

Read more below as George, our Healthy Families East Cape Practice Lead gets candid with Justine and her mahi below!

Justine, Kei te aha?  

Kei te kaha tonu awau!

How did you get your name and what does it mean?  

My dad’s favourite actress was Justine Bateman, my mum’s favourite singer was Mariah Carey. 

What was your favourite story, book or movie growing up? 

My favourite movie was - Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron.  

What is a good piece of advice you’ve ever been given? 

Take each day as it comes. 

What is something everyone should know about your community? 

The sooner we engage with swimming the better. 

What's one of the most special or memorable moments in your mahi, and why does it stand out to you? 

My most memorable moments in my mahi, too many to choose from. But I can’t go past the Taurikura kaupapa. Our Ta Ao Māori approach to swimming. Starts from the age of 3 moths to 5 years +, something that’s not available or that I’ve seen in my 11 years in the industry. I am very proud of our Taurikura kaupapa and seeing the amount of support and growth for this kaupapa has been amazing. 

What legacy do you want to leave behind? 

Positive and fun experiences for our babies and getting them into the water as soon as possible. Could be starting in the bath then the beach, rivers or lakes. 

Who is a community champion you know that is awesome for their community? 

Anna Rickard – swim instructor up the coast. She does a whole lot for the kids up the coast, I really admire her and what she does.