Rangatahi Leadership Podcast

Our Lastest Podcast

Uncle Taku is joined by Wirangi (Wi) Parata. Wi talks about his transition from kura Māori to mainstream and how this experience shaped who he is today. He also shares what it was like navigating university being the only Māori student in his Architecture degree.

About the podcast series

The Rangatahi Leadership Podcast series was created to inspire the next generation of Ngāti Toa rangatahi, encouraging them to look to the future and strive for success in their own lives. This podcast will serve as a platform to showcase the remarkable achievements of our Ngāti Toa rangatahi, both at home and abroad.

Every two weeks, Uncle Taku will interview a rangatahi from Ngāti Toa. Through these kōrero, we aim to explore their connections to Ngāti Toa through whakapapa and gain insights into their personal journeys. We hope that their experiences will resonate with other rangatahi who have faced similar situations, inspiring them to embrace their heritage and pursue their aspirations with pride and determination.


Rangatahi Leadership Podcast

Ihaia Ropata

On this episode of Kōrero with the Cuzzies, Uncle Taku is joined by Ihaia Ropata. Ihaia shares his journey growing up around te ao Māori and the importance of the hui rangatahi in this journey. They talk about Ihaia's involvement in the newly established Ngāti Toa kapa, Te Kairangi o Poutama, and what his goals and aspirations are for the future of the kapa.

Jordan Ngatai

Jordan Ngatai joins Uncle Taku all the way from Singapore! They talk about Jordan's basketball journey going from playing Chapel Ball with his cousins to making his Tall Blacks debut!

Anahera Nin

Uncle Taku and Anahera Nin dive into her studies on International politics and economics at Michigan University as well as her rowing champs in Rio and her ongoing mahi as a Principal Policy Analyst at the Ministry for the Environment.

Vianney Parata

Uncle Taku sits down with the talented Vianney Parata to talk about her journey with mahi toi. Vianney shares where her love for toi began and her journey to becoming a practitioner of moko.

Jury Teniteni-Smeaton

Jury and Uncle Taku have a conversation about life on the marae, growing up in the heart of Takapūwāhia, and the enduring memory of late-night games with the cuzzies. Additionally, they delve into Jury's legal background, where it’s led him and the leaders of the past and future .

Ezra Dunlop

Uncle Taku talks about Academic Scholarships & Masters of Engineering ft Ezra Dunlop