December 01, 2015
Young artists get Waka Toi boost


Two young artists have been picked as destined for greater things in this year’s Creative New Zealand Te Waka Toi Awards.
Emerging Maori artists – Nga Manu Pirere scholarships worth $4000 each went to emerging Maori artists Mapihi Maureen Te Rerehau Kelland and Hana-Lee Kereru-Wainohu from Ngati Kahungunu and Rongomaiwahine.
Ms Kelland, a recent Whitireia performing arts graduate, is currently performing in dance company Black Grace’s 20th anniversary show Siva.
She’s from Ngati Tuwharetoa and Ngati Kahungunu.
Ms Kereru-Wainohu from Ngati Kahungunu and Rongomaiwahine has been watch captain on ocean-going waka Te Matau a Maui.
She first went to sea on a waka hourua in 2007 when she was 15, and had since voyaged over 40,000 nautical miles around the Pacific.
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