Follow the links below to read profiles of people involved in the arts, te hunga ngā toi. Use the navigation on the right to read profiles with other movers and shakers from the Māori community. Some of the profiles are in te reo Māori and some are in English.

Mere Boynton is of Tuhoe descent. From an early age she enjoyed expressing herself creatively through singing, dancing, acting. Currently she works as a singer, actor, and tutor of performing arts. Her ambition is to complete her first CD, continue to pursue her career as a solo artist, and to travel the world performing concerts.

Briar Grace-Smith, of Ngāti Hau and Ngāti Wai, is a young Māori playwright, actor, and writer. In 1995 she received the Bruce Mason Playwrights' Award. She has had short stories produced by Ears for National Radio, as well as published in Toi Wahine and Huia Short Stories 1995.

Tanemahuta Gray, a dancer and kapa haka teacher, is flying through the air in the hot London aerial dance spectacular De La Guarda, a show that crosses the fringes of theatre, dance and circus.

Waimihi Hotere is of Te Auporui and Ngati Maniapoto descent. She works as an actor, vocalist, and director.

Toni Huata is a singer, songwriter, producer, and director who has a music degree. Encouragement from family members, peers, and a love of musicals inspired her to follow her career path.

Mikā, is a New Zealand Māori performer who has been involved in Polynesian stage shows, TV and CD recordings, and a solo cabaret career.

Renee Moeau-Jones, of Ngāti Raukawa / Ngatai descent, is a kapa haka tutor for Whitireia performing arts. She has travelled overseas on numerous occasions representing Aotearoa and has a passion for dance.

Hinewehi Mohi, is an accomplished singer, composer, and documentary film maker, who has been active in the promotion of Māori performing arts and broadcasting for several years. She has produced Marae, sung the National Anthem at the Rugby World Cup, and released an album called Oceania.

Tamati Te Nohotu, has had roles in feature films and television series. His film credits include The Piano, Channelling Baby, and the American blockbuster The Vertical Limit. Tamati's television roles include Mercy Peak, Xena, Cleopatra 2525, Duggan, Shortland Street, City Life, and BBC's The Lost World.

Mikaere Paki, of Tuwharetoa, Ngāti Apa, Raukawa, Kauwhata, Ngāi Tahu, and Ngāti Porou is a Te Ara Reo tutor at Te Whare Wananga o Aotearoa in Porirua. Mikaere also has a great passion for singing.

Mina Ripia, of Ngā Puhi and Ngāti Kahungunu, is a Māori singer, songwriter, director, and producer.

Tainui Stephens, of Te Rarawa, is a freelance television producer and director, film director, and kaikakawenga. He has produced The New Zealand Wars series and developed the series Mai Time.

Adrian Tangaroa Wagner, of Te Atiawa, Te Whānau-a-apanui, Ngati Hauiti, Wanganui descent is a producer singer/songwriter, actor, and performing artist. He has travelled extensively overseas and loves performing.

Suzanne Tamaki, of Tuhoe, Te Arawa, and Maniapoto is a director, mother, artist, designer, event codirector, and producer. Suzanne has ambitions to tour fashion shows internationally gaining recognition for Māori creative talents.

Teremoana is of Ngati te Paki descent. She has four children and works as a television director, singer/songwriter. Realising that her sexual gender and skin colour makes a difference to other people in the world has been a significant event in her life.

Jillian White, of Tuhoe / Ngāti Kahungungu / Te Arawa and Ngāti Porou descent is a documentary director, producer, and writer who aspires to telling positive stories of Māori people.