Tamati Waaka

Te Whānau a Apanui, Tūhoe

Tamati Waaka hails from Te Moana a Toi (Bay of Plenty), a region that is deeply ingrained in his identity as his tūrangawaewae. His heritage is richly woven with connections to the iwi of the eastern shores through his mother, the central and inland iwi through his father, and the western Mātaatua rohe through his wife. Raised in Te Ao Māori, his upbringing was enriched by the wisdom of kaumātua, the natural beauty of the moana, awa, and whenua, and the traditions of his ancestors.

Tamati began his education in local schools with a foundation in te reo Māori, progressing to Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, where he specialised in Māori language, culture, customs, performing arts and their relationship to the taiao. Over the past 20 years, his professional journey has spanned Māori broadcasting and tertiary education and, more recently, he has worked as a consultant on tikanga Māori alongside Māori land owners, whānau, hapū and iwi.

Passionate about Māori performing arts, Tamati has led his iwi team, Te Whānau a Apanui, since 2005. In his leisure time, he immerses himself in the natural world, diving, swimming, fishing, and exploring the cliffs, rivers, and mountains of his beloved rohe.