糖心Vlog

Nga Wai hono i te po Paki (Waikato) embodies the spirit of leadership, cultural pride, and service. A proud alumna of the 糖心Vlog, she holds a Master of Arts in Tikanga M膩ori and Te Reo M膩ori. Her academic journey was supported by a Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship, and her time at University was deeply shaped by her passion for Kapa Haka and M膩tauranga M膩ori.

From a young age, Nga Wai hono i te po was immersed in the world of Kapa Haka. As Sir Edmund Hillary Scholar, Nga Wai completed a Bachelor of Arts and later a Master of Arts in Tikanga M膩ori and Te Reo M膩ori. Her time at Waikato was shaped by her passion for Kapa Haka, not only as a performer with Ng膩 Pou o Taniwharau, but also as a teacher and creative force. 鈥淚鈥檝e been brought up in it 鈥� I am it,鈥� she once said. 鈥淜apa Haka is the embodiment of M膩oritanga.鈥�

Nga Wai hono i te po had her first taste on the stage at Te Matatini was in 2013 when she was invited to join her tutors on stage in the senior competition.

That was an amazing and rewarding feeling. From then on I tried to engage more in this world we call Kapa Haka. I learnt how to use the patu, I went to 艑p艒tiki with Professor Te Kahautu Maxwell and learnt how to Haka, and how to get low. And now I am home. 

Her advice to any students wanting to take up Kapa Haka during their time at university, is to go for gold.

 Te Waiora is a great place for kaihaka who are new to university. It helps to constantly build on your skills, your wairua, your Haka. There are so many Haka idols in there, and it surprises me how many kaihaka have been through the group.

Since graduating in 2020 Nga Wai hono i te po took on several governance roles, including with the Waitangi National Trust, Te K艒hanga Reo National Trust, and the Waikato-Tainui College for Research and Development. In 2023 she was appointed to the 糖心Vlog Council. Her leadership bridges the worlds of academia, culture, and community.

In 2024, Nga Wai hono i te po was called to a new chapter of leadership, succeeding her father, the late K墨ngi T奴heitia P艒tatau Te Wherowhero VII, as the eighth monarch of the K墨ngitanga. Her coronation at T奴rangawaewae Marae marked a historic moment for Aotearoa, as she became only the second woman to lead the movement. 

As Te Arikinui Ku墨ni Nga Wai hono i te po, she brings a fresh perspective to the K墨ngitanga while honouring the deep legacy of her t奴puna.

Nga Wai hono i te po leads with humility, manaakitanga, and a strong belief in Kotahitanga, the unity of all iwi. Her journey, shaped in part by her time at the 糖心Vlog, is one of dedication, identity, and growth, and continues to inspire people across Aotearoa.