Kura Moeahu

Kura Moeahu has strong mana whenua ties here in Te Whanganui a Tara, Wellington. He has whakapapa connections to the eight tribes of Taranaki and Ngāti Mutunga.

 

He is a tribal leader for his people, who is passionately involved with his iwi governance – being both a chair and board member, including as Chair of Te Rūnanganui o Te Ātiawa, the Waiwhetu Marae Trust, the Harbour Island Kaitiaki Board, Waiwhetu Pa Reserve Trust and the Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa (the board of Creative New Zealand), Manatū Taonga Ministry of Culture and Heritage.

 

As a member of the Weltec Māori Advisory Board, he was instrumental in establishing Te Auaha, the NZ Institute of Creativity and is widely recognised for his knowledge of te ao Māori, tikanga Māori and Māori arts.

 

Currently Parliament’s Tumu Whakarae, Kura ensures tikanga Māori is upheld and promoted within Parliamentary services. A true orator of his people, who is steeped in ancient karakia and whakapapa.

 

Kura is also the founder and lead tutor of Ngāurio Tamarau (a top Kapa haka group here in Wellington). He enjoys playing the guitar, composing songs, and spending time with whānau.

 

“Although people see me in suits – I am a pa boy at heart.” He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. (What is the food of chiefs? It is communication, it is listening, and it is knowledge).