BIOGRAPHY

"Either you follow me out, or I carry you out. It’s your choice."

Hāpai Iwini was born in Christchurch, in the Rārata iwi to a firefighter father and military sergeant mother. Following in both her parents’ footsteps, she joined the New Zealand Military (Ngāti Tumatauenga). Notably, Iwini made captain after only three years, and following two attempts, she succeeded in the New Zealand Special Air Service trials. It was due to this achievement that she earned her Moko Kauae. She is a lifelong practitioner of Kaupapa Māori and continues to volunteer as a firefighter when not deployed.

Iwini maintains a robust training regimen that extends into semi-professional rugby, a hobby for which she credits her outlier-level performance scores in physical conditioning and situational awareness. Iwini was referred to Rainbow thanks to her exceptional performance in the special forces and underwent Striker training where she broke an extraction course time record held since 2003. She gained full Operator status following her heroic actions during the assault on Hereford Base.

Psychological report

Doc and I had natural disagreements about Hāpai “Rauora” Iwini’s squad placement. Though, once I made my case, her designation to Viperstrike was obvious to us both. Her quick decision-making and seamless cooperation with multiple Operators during the Keres Legion’s assault were critical to Rainbow’s survival. Her efforts in the ensuing search and rescue were not just a testament to her compassion, but of her natural leadership in the face of an emergency.

Although outwardly, Rauora displays vigilance and strength, there is a core of vulnerability below the grit that will need attention. During our interview, she spoke at length about her husband and sons, and of her “iwi,” her tribe. Homesickness isn’t uncommon among new Operators, but Rauora channels her thoughts of home, using them as ammunition on the field. When tasked with VIP protection, Rauora’s first instinct is to place herself directly between the enemy and her charge. Although she claims that this behavior comes from her trusting her own skills and durability, I believe that it’s more from a lack of trust in others to do what is right for their own safety. While Rauora's operational success rate speaks for itself, this is a trait that I will have to monitor.

Rauora’s recklessness will often lead her to where the fighting is most intense, but she finds calm in the aftermath no matter how fierce the battle. She calls it an inherited trait, one passed down through her lineage, her "whakapapa", and that she has honed into instincts very few possess. I wish Harry were still here to help me understand all the nuances, but what matters to me in the end is the skillset she’s acquired, and how it can help this squad get the job done. […]

Rauora has started to settle in, especially with Thatcher, who she befriended during past joint operations with the SAS. Her familiar presence is easing his anxieties over Dokkaebi’s disappearance, and the resulting calm is a boon to the squad. We will need our wits in the days to come. […]

--Captain Yumiko "Hibana" Imagawa, Viperstrike Squad Leader