Renowned for their skilful blend of sweet sound and power, Tūhourangi-Ngāti Wāhiao has a proud history of performing arts that spans over a century to the earliest days of tourism in New Zealand.
Tūhourangi-Ngāti Wāhiao are resident ambassadors of Māori culture at Te Pakira Marae and Te Whakarewarewa, and have performed for royals, dignitaries and the local community at both a national and international level.
Focused on fostering the performing arts, the team are able to achieve this through uplifting the history of Tūhourangi-Ngāti Wāhiao for the benefit of their future generations.
With a strong force behind them, Tūhourangi-Ngāti Wāhiao is tutored by Hereana Roberts, Whariki Gardiner, Michael Rurehe, Rhys Hohepa, Matetu Mihimui, JohnTuri and Patrick Tāmati.
And will be led this year by the kaitātaki tane (male leader) Koro Tini and the kaitātaki wahine (female leader) Laurelle Tamati.
This year’s programme is dedicated to the late Mauriora Kingi, and reflects the many facets he played amoungst the iwi and in Māoridom. They will also acknowledge the passing of Taka Royal, a past performer and their beloved matriarch Nancey Perata Heretaunga.
Today Tūhourangi-Ngāti Wāhiao have choose to share their Waiata Tira (choral item) titled “E Tōku nei Atua” in memory of their recently lost loved ones.