Even before they finished their schooling at Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Otepoti in Fairfield, they had the ambitious aim of saving the world, and of finding a way to keep the Maori culture alive.
While it is debatable they will save the world, they have definitely found a way to keep their culture alive.
Both recently graduated from the University of Otago College of Education and have become Maori immersion teachers back at Te Kura Kaupapa.
Miss Wilson is a teacher at Te Manaaki Nga Tamariki Te Kohanga Reo (early childhood centre) at the kura and Miss Tawhara is relief teaching at the school and hopes to become a full-time teacher there next year.
Miss Tawhara said it was great to give something back to the Maori community which had helped to shape her life and skills.
"It's also nice to help make the Maori community even stronger."
She was inspired to become a teacher by her late father, Skip Kaili Tawhara, a former teacher in the early days of the school who had tremendous passion for Maori culture.
"He was an amazing teacher. I want to be a great educator like him."
Miss Wilson said because she had spent most of her life being taught, she could now appreciate what it was like to be on the other side of the desks.
"It's quite different looking back at the class. It's a very strange feeling being at the front of the room.
"I'm not used to being in charge yet. There's a bigger responsibility. If something happens to the kids, it's my fault.
"It's funny how our lives have gone in a full circle."
