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Tama Potaka, of Ngāti Hauiti,
Whanganui, Ngāti Whitikaupeka, Ngāti Toarangatira,
Ngāti Raukawa, and Ngāruahinerangi is a graduate
of Victoria University of Wellington and Columbia University
in New York city and is now an attorney
 Name:
Tama Potaka
Iwi:
Ngāti Hauiti, Whanganui, Ngāti Whitikaupeka,
Ngāti Toarangatira, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāruahinerangi.
Whānau:
Potaka, Kumeroa, Pine, Chase, Robinson
Education:
Te Aute College, Whakatupuranga Rua Mano,
Victoria University of Wellington, Columbia University in
the city of New York.
Occupation:
Attorney
What did you want to be when you were young?
Pilot, microbiologist, attorney.
Who are your inspirational role models?
Maui (what a hero), Mason Durie, Whatarangi
Winiata, Annette Sykes, Gina Rudland, Moana Jackson, Mike
Smith, all the whānau helping out at the marae throughout
the motu, Willie Te Aho, John Tamihere, all the brothers and
sisters performing kapa haka at home and at the nationals,
the list goes on...
What is your favourite...
· food?
Kumara, marinated mussels, paua, koura...
· music?
Waiata kaupapa Māori, Stevie Wonder
· pastime?
Reading, training, talking, wānanga.
What would be your ideal day?
Ao ake i te ata: Tinana - waka, run, gym (whatever).
Ata: Hinengaro - Pānui pukapuka, tuhi kōrero.
Poupoutanga o te ra: Kai, moe.
Ahiahi: Whānau - Kōrero ki aku whānau, ki aku
hoa.
Ahiahi po: Kai.
Po: Wānanga.
What is the grossest thing in your fridge?
There is nothing in there except bottled water.
The worst thing is that in my New York City fridge I have
no kai because I have no time to eat at home!
What are your ambitions for the future?
Akuanei: noho ki New York City.
A tēr tau: haere ki Hawai, ki Tahiti noho ai.
A tēr atu tau: hoki atu ki Aotearoa ki te ako, ki te
whakaako.
A tōnā wā: haere ki Haina, ki wāhi kē
mō te wā poto.
A tērā atu wā: hoki ki Aotearoa ki te tautoko
i ngā kaupapa Māori, kaupapa maha hoki.
What sparked your interest in following
your particular career path?
I considered doing law to be an avenue to
fulfil reciprocal obligations that we have to our tūpuna
and tamariki. Law can be used as a means to help Māori
improve our kaupapa, and to assist Aotearoa New Zealand in
developing a broader vision for our future.
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