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The winner of this year’s Te Tohu Aroha mō Ngoi Kumeroa Pewhairangi award for strengthening te reo rangatira says the language is a driver for his work in music, kapa haka and television.
Pere Wihongi picked up the Te Taura Whiri-sponsored tohu at the Te Waka Toi Awards earlier this week.
He says it came as a surprise.
"I was not expecting it but I will take it, I'm very humbled to be announced as winner of this kaupapa only because of the importance te reo is placed in my mahi and all of my intentions," he says.
Pere Wihongi says many Māori performers haven’t been brought up with te reo Māori, and he enjoys helping them to reclaim their language.
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