Arts leader's mantle passes to daughter

Narelle Huata has been appointed the new chairwoman of the Ngati Kahungunu Runanga Arts and Culture Board following the death of her father. Photo / Duncan Brown

Ngati Kahungunu's new Arts and Culture chairwoman will continue the legacy left by her influential father.

Narelle Huata, will chair the Ngati Kahungunu Runanga Arts and Culture Board, and oversaw her first full meeting last Thursday.

During the meeting Sir Pita Sharples paid a moving tribute to Ms Huata's dad Tama Huata, the board's former chairman and the first chairman of Te Matatini, Te Amorangi.

Mr Huata had been recognised many times on the national stage for his achievements in building the Maori performing arts movement and it was fitting that his mantle now passed to his daughter who had worked closely with him over the past 25 years.

One of Ms Huata's first major assignments will be to organise Te Matatini 2017. Ngati Kahungunu will host the biennial national kapa haka competition in Hastings.

The board presented its plans for the management of the event, its first in 34 years, to the regions' kapa haka teams.

Ms Huata said Te Matatini has grown over its 42 years to the point where the host region can expect significant benefits. "This year's festival in Christchurch generated over a million viewers across all media platforms," Ms Huata said.

After the 2013 festival in Rotorua, the Daily Post reported that the festival had generated $20 million for the city.

Ngati Kahungunu is looking to better both results.

"Upwards of 20,000 ticket- holders are expected to be hosted each day of the four-day festival and all must be fed and found accommodation for.

Then there is the job of building the giant stage, of providing for television broadcasting, of organising quality stallholders and having contingency plans for wet weather."

Ms Huata is not daunted by the task however. "Dad left us the plan and we have a huge support team in place."

Ms Huata's family includes two of Maoridom's most celebrated composers, her great-grandfather, Paraire Tomoana who wrote, Pokarekare Ana and E Pari Ra and her grandfather, Canon Wi Te Tau Huata who wrote Tutira Mai Nga Iwi, Whakaaria Mai and Pa Mai.

These waiata represent some of the greatest national anthems ever written. Add to that legacy her father's achievements and her mother, Puke Puke Tangiora's distinguished ancestry and you could be forgiven for predicting that Ms Huata is not only following her father's path but is about to forge her own.