

NGĀKAU WHIWHITA INTERNSHIP
Welcome to Ngākau Whiwhita, Te Whānau Āio's distinguished youth internship program.
We are committed to empowering young individuals with the experiences needed to navigate challenges confidently. Participants will engage in traditional Māori cultural teachings while building resilience, professional skills, and a strong sense of identity. This internship provides a unique opportunity to experience the work industry as indigenous youth and prepare for future relationships and friendships, fostering personal accountability and stability.
Ngākau Whiwhita provides a valuable opportunity for youth to navigate challenges within the work industry while honoring their indigenous heritage. Through structured sessions and an emphasis on cultural diversity participants will cultivate a robust sense of personal accountability and stability. This internship program supports individuals until they reach the age of 19 at which point they may audition for a position in Te Whānau Āio's professional native guardship group.
Requirements are
Submit a one page essay of your dreams and aspirations
Working questions for the future
Audition requirements:
3-5 min song
3-5 min waiata
3-5 min acting theatre piece
3-5 min movement piece
Learn an immediate stunt choreography piece
1 hr
200 New Zealand dollars
TE WHĀNAU ĀIO
Te Whānau Āio is a native guardianship group that educate, remodulate and facilitate native frameworks for those looking for connection templates from Aotearoa. Rather than teaching them to be MĀORI, Te Whānau Āio invite guests, visitors and tourists to connect back to their own culture to remember their own teachings. It is a generous nudge of support to connect to ones own origins to acknowledge where we all come from.

Mierewai Grant-Koria
Director, Vocal sorcery, Writer, Kairaranga, Rongoa practitioner, Mau Rākau Practitioner, Stuntwoman

Te Wehi Kore Karena Grant-Koria
Director, Sensei, Martial Arts expert, Stuntman, Weapons Choreographer

Hine Keira Jackson Shaw
Pou Tawhito - Supervisor, Kairaranga, Mau Rākau tutor, Stuntwoman

Ngarimu Wyatt
Pou Tawhito - Supervisor, Kai Matataki, Stuntman, Martial Artist,

Huia King
Pou Tawhito - Manager, Te Reo Advisor, Supervisor, Kairaranga, Stuntwoman

Ke'arn Peters
Pou Tawhito - Whai Kōrero, Te Reo Advisor, Stuntman

Wikitoria Tuiavi'i
Pou Whenua -Mau Rākau Specialist, Kairaranga, Stuntwoman

Hemi Karaka
Pou Whenua - Whaikōrero, Orator

Tuakoi Ohia
Pou Whenua - Kairaranga, Cultural Advisor

Rutene Spooner
Pou Whenua - Orator and Advisor, Creative,

Zahara Maevaga Ngapae Grant-Koria
Ngākau whiwhita - Rangatahi Voice, Light and Sound Technician, Martial Artist

Tainui Stephens
Pou Whenua - Matataki, Mau Rākau Practitioner

Petiata Koria
Pou Tawhito - Kairaranga, Mau Rākau Practitioner, Cultural Advisor, Mentor, Martial Artist, Te Reo Tutor







