Contributor
Teina Moetara
Arranger, Performer, Māori Composer, Presenter, Composer
Biography
Rongowhakaata, Te Aitanga ā Mahaki, Ngai Tāmanuhiri, Te Whanau ā kai, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Ruanui
Ko Whīria, ko Manawarū ngā Maunga Ko Pakanae, ko Manutuke ngā Marae Ko Ngati Korokoro, ko Ngati Kaipoho ngā Hapu Ko Ngāpuhi, ko Rongowhakaata ngā Iwi
Teina hails from the grand metropolis of Manutuke, Turanganui-Ā-Kiwa. Born and bred in the world of Performing Arts, as a member of the internationally recognized Waihirere Maori Club for over 20 years, some of them as core composer, Teina is now the co-founder and tutor of Manutuke based Kapa Haka, Tū Te Manawa Maurea. This community laboratory explores the arts and tikanga as an embodied expression of learning and response.
Primary school teacher trained, Teina was assistant principal and head of the Te Reo Maori immersion unit at Manutuke Primary School before joining the cast of the Disney Theatrical Production of The Lion King – Sydney, Melbourne and Shanghai. Since returning to New Zealand he has taught for over 7 years at Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School imbedding indigenous sequences of engagement to become a key learning pedagogy of the school. This work has attracted national recognition in the area of organisational leadership. Returning to Gisborne, Teina continued teaching the arts at Te Wananga o Aotearoa, at the same time completed an applied Masters in indigenous knowledge called He Waka Hiringa. Teina now works for his iwi trust and is interested in putting forward the narratives of his people in artistic ways to grow relationship and connection to place, people and identity.
Key compositions and performances:
Turanga: Land of Milk & Honey - a devised stage performance sponsored by the Rongowhakaata Iwi Trust, and performed in the Tairawhiti Arts Festival, and in front of Te Hau ki Turanga in Te Papa, Oct 2020.
Māui Pūtahi - Inaugural Opening of the Tairawhiti Arts Festival 2019 - Live performance on the banks of the Turanga, Taruheru and Waimatā rivers.
All Roads lead to Ngatapa - a devised stage performance sponsored by the Rongowhakaata Iwi Trust and performed in the Tairawhiti Arts Festival, and in front of Te Hau ki Turanga in Te Papa, Oct 2019.
Core Composer - Waihirere Maori Club, 1996 - 2004
Core Composer - Tū te Manawa Maurea, 2006 - 2020