Joe Harawira
Joe Harawira is a storyteller and tikanga (protocols) expert from the Waikato region of the North Island.
Tribal Affiliation: Ngati Maniapoto, Ngai te Rangi, Ngati Awa
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).
He has toured many times internationally, taking his skill in Maori storytelling and oratory with him to indigenous and storytelling festivals.
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 Kaupapa Atawhai Manager in the Waikato Conservancy of the Department of Conservation.
Joe is an exponent of the Maori language and a strong supporter of all Maori art forms.
Links
Nga Taonga o Aotearoa - Treasures of New Zealand publication from Creative New Zealand