Jackie Foster – Why I started Social Justice Aotearoa

I have been questioned many times as to why I started Social Justice Aotearoa. A lot of people seem to think that because a family member of mine was convicted and sent to prison, I simply did it looking for a platform to push back at the system and help my family member with their convictions. Well, they couldn’t be more wrong. I will never deny that having a situation like that evolve in your life isn’t life changing because it is, but in relation to helping anyone with their convictions, I will never use the public platform for anything else than creating change that is so desperately needed in Aotearoa and if I choose to support my family member in their quest for innocence I will do that in my own private way.

Not being the kind of person to speak about personal issues like my upbringing or family issues, it dawned on me last year that my mother’s passing has had a lot to do with who I am today.

My mother passed away in 2020, during the covid lockdown which in turn gave neither me or my whanau any time to grieve, no traditional tangi, waiata, or anything normal. I appreciate that this same scenario happened for hundreds of families across the world leaving a lot of bitterness. For me personally there was no bitterness as I chose that time to reflect on my beautiful mother’s life, a life of giving, listening, learning, understanding, teaching but most importantly never judging.

As I reflect on my mother now, a proud Ngati Porou born lady, I understand that although she is no longer with me in body, she is with me in spirit, having taught me all of what she stood for throughout her whole life. Our home was often host to someone who needed a bed or a meal or simply to sit and talk problems over. We never had a lot but my mum always had plenty to give everyone which was also instilled in me from a very young age.

I have lived in a women’s refuge, have had nothing but nature to entertain my siblings and I and have seen the very worst of people at various times in my life, strongly believing that all of this has created the person I am today.

As much as I miss my mother, I am happy in the knowledge that she is resting in peace but I am twice as happy knowing that her passing has awakened a part of me that I didn’t know really existed but also creating a legacy that I will carry on for years to come with the strength and tenacity that was my mum.

Jackie Foster.

Jackie Foster is the CEO of Social Justice Aotearoa