Skye Tsubasa Kitahaba Manaaki Tauira - Student Counsellor
While I may not have all the answers to your life questions, I can offer empathy and presence, and a space where you can be honest with yourself and explore what matters most to you.
I was born and raised in Japan, in an environment where expressing emotions and personal struggles was often discouraged. Many people were expected to endure quietly rather than seek support.
Growing up, I often felt disconnected from my own voice and learned to adapt myself to fit into society and the expectations around me.
“Moving to Aotearoa became one of the major turning points in my life. For the first time, I began to feel more comfortable in my own skin and started exploring questions around identity, belonging, and what it means to live authentically.”
At the same time, this journey has also included challenges such as language barriers, cultural differences, and experiences of discrimination as an Asian immigrant.
Professional and academic background
I’m relatively new to the counselling and mental health field, and in many ways, counselling itself was completely unfamiliar to me before starting this course.
Growing up in Japan, I was more familiar with fortune-telling than counselling, and many concepts such as self-care, emotional expression, and self-compassion were entirely new to me.
"I see counselling as a journey of ongoing healing, growth, and self-discovery - both for myself and for the people I work with."
Counselling approach
I value authenticity, empathy, humour, and human connection in counselling. Where appropriate, I may bring gentle humour into the space. I believe that laughter can be a natural medicine - it can release stress and uplift our mauri!
"My counselling approach centres on respect for each person’s story and who they are. I seek to honour both Māori and Western frameworks, alongside insights from Japanese cultural wisdom and values where appropriate."
I also recognise that it can be difficult to see your own strengths when facing challenges. I actively support clients in recognising their strengths and positive qualities, reflecting what I see in them.
Counselling is also an ongoing journey of growth for me. Through my training, I continue to reflect, learn, and deepen my understanding of myself and others. The learning journey has supported me in finding a stronger sense of belonging and identity in Aotearoa, and in understanding my role as Tangata Tiriti.
“What draws me to counselling is the simple but powerful experience of being truly heard. I believe that even one genuine, supportive connection can change how we carry our struggles.”
What makes NMIT a great place to study?
Being one of the minorities in the class has been both challenging and fascinating in a positive way. I’ve really appreciated hearing different opinions and perspectives from people whose cultural backgrounds and life experiences differ from my own. It has helped me reflect more deeply on myself and how people experience the world differently.
Interest/hobbies
Outside of my studies, I enjoy riding my motorcycle—it gives me a strong sense of freedom and uplifts my spirit. (Feel free to give me a honk if you see me riding on campus!)
I also enjoy spending time with friends, being in nature, and exploring new cafés and restaurants (as much as a student budget allows). I occasionally hit the gym, where I mostly enjoy relaxing in the sauna rather than actually working out! Most importantly, finding joy in small, everyday moments helps me stay grounded, present, and grateful for life as it is.
Counselling in today’s world
I bring a strong sense of social justice into my work and aim to support people from all backgrounds.
"You may or may not have experience with someone from a different culture like mine, but I welcome you as you are. To me, it doesn’t matter where you come from - what matters is that you feel safe, respected, and heard."
