Our Storytellers
Rangimaewa (Alyssa) Webster
Iwi | Tribal affiliations:
Te Arawa, Tūhoe, Ngapuhi, Te Whānau ā Apanui
Kapahaka | Performing highlights:
I was an extra on a local feature film ‘Ka Whawhai Tonu’ and in a Bollywood film ‘Kannapa’ filmed in Rotorua. I was also a cast member on a New Zealand TV series as well ‘End of the Valley’.
About me:
I am a full-time student at the University of Waikato (Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Studies and Indigenous studies). I teach Māori Performing Arts to students at Tai Wānanga in Hamilton. How I am and what I do at Te Pā Tū is the what I do outside of Te Pā Tū. I love all aspects of performing arts, my culture, my family. I love meeting new people, learning about different cultures and learning and performing songs in different languages. I started travelling abroad at the age of 13 to China and Japan as a cultural ambassador and kapahaka exponent.
Whakaaio (Sebastian) Webster
Iwi | Tribal affiliations:
Te Arawa, Tūhoe, Ngapuhi, Te Whānau ā Apanui
Kapahaka | Performing highlights:
Raukura was the first school team to win back-to-back national kapa haka titles back in 2016 and 2018.
About me:
I’m a huge family-oriented person, love to sing and play guitar and to share anything about our culture – but also love to learn about different cultures traditions, language, customs. I teach Māori performing arts to secondary schools such as; Tai Wānanga kura and Waikato Diocesan school for Girls. I work with the University of Waikato teaching beginner Māori students Māori Performing Arts and I am a Māori Liaison for the University of Waikato. I also help tutor Rotorua Intermediate and Rotorua Boys High school Kapa groups for regional and national Kapa haka competitions.
Waitangi (Emmerson) Webster
Iwi | Tribal affiliations:
Te Arawa, Tūhoe, Ngapuhi, Te Whānau ā Apanui
Kapahaka | Performing highlights:
A kai haka (performer) as two National Kapa Haka competitions and as an extra in a Bollywood film called “Kannappa”.
About me:
I have been raised in te ao Māori – language, customs, and whakapapa (ancestry). My family is the most important thing to me. I truly enjoy what I do, particularly when it involves kapa haka. I was an assistant in making the costumes and design for Tu te Ihi and am working toward becoming a costume designer. When I am not at Te Pā Tū, I help my grandmother at her kohanga reo (Kindergarten) or my Dad tutoring kapahaka. This year I will visit South Korea, India, Bali and USA.
Manukau Whata
Iwi | Tribal affiliations:
Ngāti Pikiao, Tainui and Ngāti Awa
Kapahaka | Performing highlights:
Back-to-back School Kapahaka Champions 2018|2019 (Raukura).
About me:
I was born and bred in a small place called Rotoiti. I am the youngest of 5 boys and we are a rugby and kapa haka family. I was lucky enough to be brought up around te ao Māori (Māori world) at Rotoiti. I am studying toward becoming a Māori performing arts teacher and in my spare time, play rugby for my iwi team, Rotoiti.
Taruke Rangawhenua
Iwi | Tribal affiliations:
Tainui, Ngāi Tūhoe
Kapahaka | Performing highlights:
Tutoring two young kapahaka teams for nationals (Rotorua Intermediate, Te Aitanga a Tane), being in two Stan Walker music videos.
About me:
I grew up in a small rural Māori community east of Rotorua, where your neighbours are all cousins and we’re surrounded by a Māori language and ways. I love being out on the farm with my Koro (Grandfather), riding motorbikes, swimming in the river with my cousins, I feel so free. I spend as much time with my baby as I can – any time get with her is my favourite part of the day whether that be in the morning before she goes to kōhanga (kindergarten) or when I get back from mahi late at night. Sharing our Māori culture alongside a young talented crew every day is what I’m most proud of.
Tohu Ariki Taakuta
Iwi | Tribal affiliations:
Ngati Tahu-Ngati Whaoa, Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau ā Apanui, Te Arawa, Tuwharetoa, Ngāti Raukawa
Kapahaka | Performing highlights:
Raukura Champions School Kapahaka Competitions and Te Pikikotuku o Ngāti Rongomai at Matatini. I was in two of Stan Walker’s music videos and an extra in a Bollywood film.
About me:
My sister and I were raised in Otaki with our Kui (Grandma), our brothers with our parents. I reconnected with Te Arawa whānau Rotorua family) as a boarding student at Rotorua Boys High School. I’ve run 2 marathons this past year and love being fit. I’m also in to diving | gathering kaimoana (seafood), I don’t eat seafood, but love sharing kaimoana with the old people – they can’t get out like they once did and miss it.
Ngareta (Ayva) Marters
Iwi | Tribal affiliations:
Te Arawa, Ngāti Whakaue
Kapahaka | Performing highlights:
Being part of the Raukura kapahaka, a performer in two Stan Walker music videos – ‘I Am’ from the Ava DuVernay film ‘Origin’ and ‘Māori Ki Te Ao’.
About me:
I am still in school at Rotorua Girls High School, I’m Year 12, and I want to be a pilot. Outside of Te Pā Tū my main priorities are my studies and preparing for my future. I have been here (Rotorua) my whole life. Growing up as a Māori Cook Islander I have always been surrounded by family and culture. My first Cook Island performance was when I was four and first kapahaka performance was at the age of six – culture has been my whole life