New Zealand's Mimi Paranihi on her Love Island journey, new opportunities, and creating a space for other Māori wāhine

We’re all guilty of indulging in a little reality TV from time-to-time, and found a new it girl obsession in last season’s Love Island Australia, Aotearoa’s own Mimi Paranihi.

Image via @miaparanihi

It was very cool seeing a Kiwi on Love Island and having you represent us in that experience as well. Can you tell me more about your experience?

I had never watched the show before, so I didn’t know what to expect. When the opportunity came, I thought, ‘I’m going to do it and change the type of person who usually applies to Love Island.’ My experience was amazing; I felt well looked after, and everyone was wonderful. The intense environment suited me, and growing up as a dancer helped. The show helped me see myself in a new light and focus on building connections. I loved every minute and didn’t want to leave the villa. I'd return in a heartbeat!

Did you go on there and anticipate that you would find love? Like, do you go in there thinking that?

I'm a very big opportunist. I'm the first person to say that I didn't go on Love Island just to find love, I'm not stupid—I know it's a career opportunity. I know it's an opportunity to be put onto a platform you're not necessarily able to get to, and I'm extremely grateful for it. I'm very aware of what the show is about and what it does for people.

Image via @miaparanihi

Do you think audiences got to see a true reflection of who you are?

I know myself. I know who I am as a person, and I've spent the last few years working on myself so I was confident that I couldn't be edited in any way. I feel in tune with my morals and stick with them. I don't let anyone say or do anything that's going to shy me away from that and my beliefs. I was not afraid of how I would be portrayed on the show, because I knew there would be no way you can portray me in any other way than myself.

You’ve been quite vocal about representing us Māori wāhine loudly in busy spaces. What made you want to do this and what has been the response?

I saw it as an opportunity for me to be the voice and the person that my younger self needed, the one that reminded everyone that you are enough, that your culture is beautiful and that you never have to shrink yourself to fit in. Growing up, I didn't always feel proud of my identity and being Māori due to society's standards, but now I stand tall as a Māori wāhine, and I embrace it as one of my greatest strengths. I want to show Māori wāhine, that we can be in rooms we once felt we didn't belong in. It was more than just going on a TV show. My goal was to make sure that when other people saw me, they're like, ‘there's a girl that looks like me on the screen’, because that's always what I wanted when I was younger.

Image via @miaparanihi

That's really special—especially for younger girls—to know that the world isn't a white washed space.

I used every opportunity that I could on the show to speak Te Reo or represent my culture. The show goes through edits before airing, so the fact that they chose to include those pieces meant so much to me. I'm very grateful to the show for not only putting me on the screen, but my culture too.

People loved your Love Island style—it pushed the boundaries of what we’re used to seeing on the show—can you tell me more about this?

Was any styling done behind the scenes? I knew there was a 'Love Island look,' but I wanted to show that you don't have to dress a certain way to fit it. They asked for 40 outfits, so I created a mood board based on my styling experience. I showcased different sides of myself, my island girl, mermaid, and tomboy looks. I also used the opportunity to support Kiwi and indigenous brands, wearing Effn and other small brands, including an indigenous artist’s sarong. It was about expressing my style and showing who I am.

Image via @miaparanihi

You mentioned your ownbrand, Effn, can you tell me more about this and whatyou strive to create with it?

Everything's about making a statement. We push boundaries and embrace individuality. The end goal is to build the brand as big as we can, but also to put Aotearoa on the map and create pieces that are high quality. We want to make people feel good and a part of a community.

What's next for you? What's your plan from here? I’ve made a pact to give 120% to my dreams in 2025. I’m working on exciting collaborations with brands and have big plans with Effn. I’ll be traveling, especially to America, to explore new opportunities. Acting lessons are part of my goal to enter the performing arts, and I’ve told [Love Island Australia] I want to be their next host. Whether that happens, you never know, I'm just putting it out there.

Image via @miaparanihi

Would you ever do Love Island again? Hosting would be sick—would you ever do it again as a contestant?

I definitely would go on again. I don't think I would go on the Australia one. I feel like I didn't get the full experience the first time. I went in with an open heart, and my journey ended up being more about friendships than love. I am grateful for the connections thatI did make. However, it's about love; it was more Friendship Island. I'd love to truly explore romance in the villa, maybe in an overseas one!

Do you ever see yourself returning back home to Aotearoa?

Aotearoa is always my home, it's my safe space. It's where I go whenever I'm feeling lost at any point in my life, and where I can be grounded. However, I know that what I'm seeking in life, my dreams are very big, and unfortunately, Aotearoa can't provide that for me. I don't see myself moving back home anytime soon. For now, it's Sydney, but I am looking at other options, like moving back over to the UK, or even America.

What else would you like people to know about you?

I literally share everything about myself online. I'm very honest and raw, but everything I do comes from a place of authenticity, and I want to empower others to do the same. I genuinely think my purpose on this earth is to create art and inspire others. I want to inspire people to embrace who they are, be themselves, and never be afraid to stand up.