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Xavier has found some time to stop in and see Chop for a zero fade. He and Chop talk about what it was like being raised by his grandparents in Waitangi. Xavier recalls the close bond he had with them, and how hard it was when his Nan passed away last year.
He has a laugh about his Pop only moving half the cemetery, the half where his Nan’s grave is. Xavier tells Chop he travelled to Europe for the 70th Commemoration of the Battle of Monte Cassino, where his great great grandfather Sir James Henare fought as part of the 28th Māori Battalion.
He shares the legacy his great great grandfather has left the family and how he is trying to live up to this in his own mahi. He tells Chop all about becoming a father, and how his upbringing has helped shape who he is now.
Chop and Xavier enjoy a moment of reflection Photo: Tai Huri Films / Adam Jones
Service to Your People Before Yourself
Being raised by grandparents is not uncommon for whānau Māori and Xavier is no different. His younger days were spent living between his parents and grandparents in Waitangi.
I don’t think there's a bond like a grandparent and a grandchild. I think it’s quite different, quite special.
Xavier remembers his grandmother, who passed away last year, with aroha. He recalls their time together, going on drives, and playing housie. These days, and now that he is a father, he enjoys visiting his grandfather at Waitangi whenever he can.
I go to Pop sometimes, have a yarn about life, he always asks how I’m doing, how work is, how my baby is, how everything is in general.
They gave him good roots and taught him the values he carries with him today, but his one year old boy is what grounds him the most now.
Xavier waits his turn Photo: Tai Huri Films / Adam Jones
I’ve got my boy now, I’m 24 doing my mahi and loving my life at the moment.
In 2020 Xavier was accepted into police college where he studied for a year. It was a hard year for him, with his partner falling pregnant and the pressure of being away from home to study. But he made it through and is now a frontline Police Officer working back in the Mid-North.
It means a lot more to me working up here, working with my whānau, with my communities. This is where I’m from and my goal is to help this place.
Service runs strong in Xaviers whānau after his great great grandfather Sir James Henare left this legacy - Service to your People before Yourself. Xavier hopes he can live up to that whakataukī. He’s working on perfecting the Henare hairstyle worn by his revered grandfather too, a classic look connecting generations.
The main thing in regards to his mahi is that it has allowed him to not have a bias on people, and to treat someone as you would if you were speaking to your own whānau. Kindness goes a long way in Xavier's opinion.
Xavier's fade is starting to take shape Photo: Tai Huri Films / Adam Jones
He sees a lot for a young man and work can be challenging for him. One of the big things he struggles with is switching off.
So in my mahi, it's a job but it sometimes turns into your life. Me having my son and my partner allows me to have that time to switch off.
Reflecting on becoming a father, Xavier was terrified to tell his Nan that he was expecting a child. But he’s found some balance, which he attributes to the support network he’s had within his whānau.
I guess that kind of goes back to how it used to be back in the day, everyone had a hand in raising tamariki in the pā. You’re everyone’s child.
Knowing who he is gives Xavier a grounding and a sense of belonging and you get a sense that this young man is well and truly on his way to living up to the legacy his decorated great great grandfather has left him.
Photo: supplied
