Tikanga specialists

Ngati Maniapoto, Ngai te Rangi, Ngati Awa

Joe Harawira is a storyteller and tikanga (protocols) expert from the Waikato region of the North Island. He is also the Chairperson of He Awhi Tikanga. 

He has toured many times internationally, taking his skill in Maori storytelling and oratory with him to indigenous and storytelling festivals.Joe was born and bred in Whakatane, in the North Island of New Zealand. He is a storyteller, and an expert in tikanga (protocols) and is a passionate teacher and performer of kapahaka (perfoming arts).

Storytelling runs in Joe's extended family. "We come from a very oral tradition. As a small boy I'd go to the marae where the kaumatua (elders), who were all storytellers, would do their whaikorero (speech-making)."

Previously working as a school teacher, Joe now works as Pou Hapai- Principal Cultural Advisor, for the Department of Conservation. Joe is based out of Wellington National Office and lives in his hometown of Whakatane

Joe is an exponent of the Maori language and a strong supporter of all Maori art forms.