BACKGROUND:

Pare Ariki Maree Rotana’s goals and aspirations are to pass on the teachings she has learned in Te Ao Maaori and Ngaa mahi kapahaka, and create a pathway here in Australia for her whaanau, children and future mokopuna to be surrounded by Te Reo Maaori, Ngaa tikanga Maaori, ka mutu ngaa aahuatanga katoa, Maoori. 

She hopes to inspire all indigenous people to learn about their culture, whatever that may be, to protect their tuaakiritanga and nurture it for their future generations. 

“Poipoia te kaakano kia puawai” 

She grew up in Raahui Pookeka in 1985, and went to kohanga reo and  Te Wharekura o Rakaumangamanga where she performed numurous times with the school in competitions, on the marae and at school till 15yo.

Spending 1yr at Queen Victoria in Auckland and competing in Polyfest, she then spent the next 2 tears at Church college of NZ where she toured  Hawke’s Bay in the arts of Pacific island dancing including Hawaiian, Tahitian, and Maaori.

In 2004 she moved to Australia with her whanau and joined Sydney Kapahaka group Te Hoe Ki Matangireia in 2006 where she, along with other kaihaka/performers from Aotearoa and Australia, performed at the Regionals Competitions and at the Chinese New Year in Hong Kong.

In 2017, Pare prepared for, and performed at the 2018 Australian Regional Competition with her group Te Hoe Ki Matangireia. With a very successful performance and overall campaign, they won the right to represent Australia and compete at Te Matatini Ki te ao in 2019 in New Zealand.

Having moved to Melbourne in 2020, she has since become and supported the creation of Te Atawhai Puumanawa, and is now the current tutor, Female leader, and their group guitarist.