Kia ora, ko Bethanie Cootes ahau. He uri au o Ngāti Toarangatira (Ngāti Te Rā) me Ngāti Raukawa (Ngāti Whakatere). I whānau mai au i Ōtautahi, engari i tupu ake au i Te Tihi‑o‑Maru.

I’m a compassionate and adaptable kaimahi with experience across youth development, facilitation, education programmes, cultural support and hauora promotion.

My mahi has spanned community organisations, schools, and kaupapa Māori spaces, with a strong focus on whakawhanaungatanga, building capability, and supporting tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau to achieve their aspirations.

I have a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and am working towards a Master of Educational Psychology.

I live with my wonderful partner and our crazy pets, Sydney the labrador and Simon the cat.

I’m passionate about te ao Māori, youth development, education, hapori growth and ensuring that whānau voices guide our pathways forward.