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Wi Huata

Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, Ngati Kahungunu ki Heretaunga

  • Name:

    Wi Huata

  • Position:

    Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, Ngati Kahungunu ki Heretaunga

The myriad of stars glimmer down across the dark night
The radiant light of the full moon shines brightly
Two stars on either side of the moon sparkle and twinkle
Vivid and brilliant

Wi Te Tau Huata’s life is a testament to his enduring commitment to serving others, embodying the teachings of his tupuna and the values of tikanga and mātauranga Māori. Following the legacy of his father and brothers, Paraire and Tama, Wi upholds a tradition of leadership rooted in perseverance, creativity, and humour.

Wi is currently employed as a Consumer Advisor for Te Whatu Ora Lakes, having transitioned from his role as Whānau/Family Advisor with LinkPeople. In this position, he champions Te Ara Tauwhirotanga, a community-driven model of care created by Te Arawa to inform the rebuild of Te Whare Oranga Tangata o Whakaue. Through this role, Wi ensures that the voice of Māori lived experience is represented at all levels of mental health and addiction services by providing leadership and input into strategic planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, as well as the development and review of policies and procedures.

In addition to his professional role, Wi is the Co-Chair of Te Kete Pounamu, a platform dedicated to amplifying the voices of tangata whaiora and their whānau. He also contributes as a Cook at Te Taketake Wananga, offering his talents to nourish both bodies and spirits.

Wi's contributions extend beyond health services into performing arts, music, and education. He has inspired many through korikori tinana (movement-based on mau rākau), waiata, and his work with Te Ngaru Learning Systems. His compositions, such as the iconic waiata “E kore au, e ngaro te kākano...”, have left a lasting legacy, embodying his commitment to uplifting others.

As a leader, Wi exemplifies the whakataukī, “Ko te amorangi ki mua, ko te hāpai ō ki muri”—placing the leaders at the forefront, with support following close behind. His work, grounded in mātauranga Māori and driven by a relentless dedication to tangata whaiora, ensures that the aspirations of whānau and communities remain at the heart of everything he does.