Originally published by Māori Television Kya Hurihanganui Thornicroft was only 13 when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer , an extremely rare condition for people her age. It was a traumatic experience for her and her whānau but some good has come from it, an experience that many could only dream of. She was granted her wish by the Make-A-Wish foundation to interview former First Lady of the United States , Michelle Obama .
“It was just the most insane experience. She’s one of my all-time heroes, she’s just an icon. I came on to the zoom freaking out of course, and I was instantly calmed because she’s such a down to earth, genuine person and I felt like I could talk to her like she was one of my aunties,” says Kya.
During the call, they talked about what it was like for Kya to live in a rural area in Gisborne and in a small country, Aotearoa. They also talked about youth engagement in politics, a topic Kya is passionate about. Kya was first allocated 15 minutes for the kōrero but Obama wanted to keep the conversation going.
“We ended up talking for almost an hour. I asked her about how do you stay consistent in your activism? How do you target your priorities?” says Kya. “She answered everything and gave me the motivation and the confirmation that what I want to do is what I want to do.
” Kya, of Ngāti Porou and Tūhourangi, is a student at the University of Auckland . She’s completing a double major in Māori studies and politics and internati.
