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.

December, 2003