May 3rd: Hinewirangi Kohu Morgan - Maori Activist, Artist, Poet and International Speaker

Hinewirangi Kohu-Morgan is a Maori artist, poet, and activist, who lives and works in Aotearoa (New Zealand). She is a Board Member of the International Indian Treaty Council and is a Representative for the Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific movement.

Hinewirangi is a founding director of the Maori Women’s Centre, which runs programs that help end domestic violence and rebuild community while promoting radical changes in the dominant political and economic system. She teaches in her homeland of New Zealand and abroad, conducting workshops on all aspects of the Maori philosophies of mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.

Her areas of expertise include traditional Maori parenting and healing; Maori flute-making; and indigenous poetry and drama. Her published works include a four-part collection of poetry entitled kanohi ki ti kanohi, about her travels to indigenous communities around the world.

Hinewirangi Kohu-Morgan was one of the original advisors in the development of the Mauri Ora Programme. Her expertise in waiata, pakiwaitara and tikanga Māori was invaluable.

She went on to record all pakiwaitara featured in the programme as well as the 'Live It!' series. That latter, gave practical insight into how cultural aspects from information contained within each kete could be implemented into every day life.

Hinewirangi supervised and co-ordinated Mauri Ora waiata albums, Waiata for Hui Gatherings, Waiata Tawhito and Songs of Liberation. Again the latter was based upon her selection, links with composers and singers and recollections of their use.

Today Hinewirangi continues her work in education delivering programmes in prisons, speaking at a variety of conferences (national & international) and supporting initiatives in early childhood.

Te aroha au Hinewirangi for all that you do in bringing awareness to the issues that are most pressing to the Maori culture and people. By inspiring many you inspire us Pasifika women to remember our people and our ancestors. Kia Ora for being an awesome advocate for us Pasifika women.

Aroha atu <3