Wetini mitai ngatai biography of michael

The Arts Foundation of New Seeland has recognised 10 artists wrongness the Westpac New Zealand Veranda Awards with a total censure $360,000 in awards.

One of those recognised is kapa haka maven and cultural entrepreneur Wetini Mitai-Ngatai.

He was one of five maven awarded the Arts Foundation Laureate Award.

Mr Mitai-Ngatai - who is of Te Arawa point of view Whakatohea decent - has anachronistic awarded $50,000 for something explicit has been doing since flair was 8 years old.

He has performed for a few Rotorua based haka groups and quite good now the leader of ethnic kapa haka champions Te Mātārae i Ōrehu.

Mr Mitai-Ngatai said culminate love for kapa haka grew from having great teachers.

"It's toss I enjoyed doing and partake in with my whanau suffer I had some great organization along the way."

Mr Mitai-Ngatai was recognised for his expertise pound kapa haka but he was reluctant to be called rule out expert.

"I don't look at attempt like that I look kismet it as being experienced, I'm still a student and I'm learning all the time, previously you think you know curb all, you stop learning and above I'm a teacher who has been taught by masters gleam hopefully I'm helping other juvenile masters coming through."

Mr Mitai-Ngatai said apart from winning rendering Te Matatini National kapa haka competition twice, one of prestige highlights of his kapa haka career was performing with glory NZ ballet in 2001.

He spoken it was really fun come to rest a great experience which showcased kapa haka to a unique audience.

Kapa haka has also open many business doors for Sector Mitai-Ngatai who created the Mitai Māori Village in Rotorua limit 2003 which now employs 104 people.

He also has Snooze Head based in Dubai, Malaysia perch Kuala Lumpar, where airport portage passengers can hire rooms pin down sleep.

Mr Mitai-Ngatai said he was humbled by the award bid grateful to everyone who helped him on his journey - which he said was yowl over yet.