Dr. Terry Ryan – Chair

Dr. Terry Ryan has been involved with the Waitaha Cultural Council since it’s inception 40 years ago. He worked with the late Kiato (Kia) Riwai and traveled with her around Te Waipounamu, encouraging the formation of cultural groups at all centres. The trade trainee hostels of Rehua, Te Kaihanga and later Te Aranga were encouraged to participate. They provided a great stimulant to the audience; these were Waitaha’s strongest days.

After Kia’s death in 1967, Terry was appointed as the first Secretary of the Waitaha Cultural Council, a position he maintained even in Wellington when he worked with Hon. Mrs Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan. On his return south, Terry was appointed Chairman of the Council, a position he has held for the last 30 years.

Terry is currently the Kaiwai Kaitiaki of the Whakapapa Ngai Tahu Unit within Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu.

Tihi Puanaki – Vice Chair Nga Puhi

Tihi’s involvement with kapa haka in Waitaha is extensive. After taking on the leadership of established Maori performing arts group Te Kotahitanga has become a nationally renown spokesperson on all aspects of kapa haka and has obtained numerous awards for her achievements as kaitataki wahine at both regional and national levels. Tihi has been the Waitaha delegate to the National Maori Performing Arts Committee and has been a strong advocate, supporter and instrumental in the development of all aspects of Maoritanga throughout the years in Te Waipounamu. Tihi was honored in 1999 when she received the Queens Service Medal for services to the community.

Tihi’s qualities as a leader are reflected in the passion, commitment and dedication of not just Te Kotahitanga but the inclusion of all to experience success through performance. Joining Waitaha Cultural Council as a young leader, Tihi has witnessed the growth of Maori performance within the region. This longevity is testament to the guardianship and ongoing stability of Waitaha Cultural Council, of which, ensures dreams are kept alive.

Ranui Ngarimu – Secretary Kati Mamoe / Ngai Tahu / Ngati Mutunga

Ranui has had a long-term involvement with kapa haka as a performer, tutor, and composer and as a judge at local, regional and the two most recent national competitions.

Ranui joined Waitaha to support the region’s development. Her passion is to assist Waitaha win the bid to host another national competition in Waitaha.

Ranui is also a skilled and well-known weaver and is a member of Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa – Maori Weavers New Zealand. She recently co-wrote a book “The Art of Maori Weaving” which was launched in San Francisco by Dame Te Atairangikaahu.

Julie Clark – Treasurer

Julie has had an involvement as a performer in Maori performing arts since an early age. Firstly as a child with groups Otautahi and Te Kotahitanga and later as an adult with Te Ahikaaroa competing at regional and national levels.

In 1995 Julie was asked to take on the role of interim treasurer for the Waitaha Cultural Council and remains in the same position today. Since joining, Julie has also held a dual role of secretary and treasurer and assisted with the organising of numerous taiaha wananga, festivals and competitions.

Julie’s primary aspirations for the future of the Waitaha Cultural Council are; to have the origins and history of Waitaha Cultural Council in print and on permanent record, the promotion/branding of the council so that it is identifiable and recognised throughout Waitaha, and; successfully win the bid to host another National Maori Performing Arts Festival in Otautahi.

Ramari Brennan (nee Crofts) – Patroness

Travelling in 1948 with kaumatua and whanau from Tuahiwi Pa to welcome back soldiers from the Maori Battalion in Wellington was Ramari’s first big experience. Later Ramari travelled the motu with her uncle Te Ari Pitama performing and it was at this time she met Hori Te Otinga Brennan. After marrying in 1952 Ramari and Hori again travelled between the North and South Islands performing as part of Te Whetu Ariki o Kahukura at many Hui Aranga, as well as raising a young family. Both Ramari and Hori were active participants and performers of Maori culture long before the establishment and official naming of Nga-pakihi-whakatekateka-o-Waitaha Cultural Council in 1967.

The official formation of the Waitaha Cultural Council of which the late Hori was a founding member, created an opportunity for groups from within Waitaha and Te Waipounamu to participate in Maori performing arts festivals in the south. This was also an attraction for many North Island groups and they too participated. A philosophy of inclusion and participation motivated roopu and helped build and strengthen Maori pakeha relations. Ramari recalls one of the first rules of the council, “to have at least one pakeha in each team”.

Four generations on, Ramari daughter of the late Elisabeth Timua Crofts (2nd patron of Waitaha Cultural Council) and her whanau continue to play an active role today, supporting and encouraging Maori performing arts in the Waitaha and wider regions.

Reihana (Doe) Parata - Patroness
Te Pura o Te Rangi Parata – Patron

Pura and Doe have worked extensively in all the communities or rohe they have been associated with. Pura had a very public role whilst working for “Maori affairs” while Doe was a schoolteacher, mentor, mother of five and later a national and international Raranga expert.

Their involvement in Kapa haka is also a long one. Pura recalls vividly when living in Wellington and being in three roopu at once during the period 1955 to 1958. They were Ngati Poneke, Ngati Riatana and the Wellington Maori Club. Aunty Doe was part of Te Whetu Ariki o Kahukura before Pura also joined in 1958. When work prompted a shift to the Wanganui rohe they both joined Nga Waka in 1959 then in 1960 the Putiki Maori Club.

Another shift to Rotorua saw them as part of Guide Rangi’s concert party from 1962 to 1974 along with membership in Ohinemutu Maori Club and Ngararanui. Pura was the Waiariki representative to the “Polynesian Festival Committee” and part of the team that organised the first two Polynesian Festivals alongside such greats as John Rangihau, Kuru Waaka and Pei Te Hurunui Jones. He was also involved with the South Pacific Arts Festival in Rotorua.

When they returned to Christchurch Doe became the matron of Te Waipounamu Maori Girls College from 1978 to 1990. Doe has sung with the NZ Maori Choir, is an active member of the National Maori Weavers Association and Eternal Thread.

Wiki Baker – Patroness

My love and involvement began when my mother (Aunty Kera Browne) took me along with her to kapa haka practices in the early1950s when we lived in Christchurch. At that time uncle Te Ari Pitama tutored a very strong group of young people eager to learn and express their Maoritanga. A very young Ramari and Hori Brennan were in the group at that time and their dedication and performances along with other whanau left a huge impression on me and my longing to be included in this wonderful mode of expression.

My attendance at St. Joseph’s Maori Girls College, Napier in the late 50s nurtured this passion and when I left school I joined the Ngati Poneke Young Maori Club, which included the very strong grounding of the disciplines required for involvement, participation and performance.

I have participated and performed on many occasions over the past 50 odd years, both in New Zealand and overseas but still vividly remember and treasure those early influences.

I am proud to have followed in the footsteps of those early patrons who have passed on, knowing their experience and generosity of knowledge has assisted us all and stands us in good stead for our mokopuna to come.