Pride of NZ Awards: Scaling heights through kapa haka

The students Tihi Puanaki has helped include people struggling with alcohol and drugs. Photo / Martin Hunter

Tihi Puanaki has spent 40 years empowering her people by taking her distinctive style of dance to the world.

Tihi Puanaki
Lifetime Achievement Award
Tihi Puanaki's name - which means "pinnacle" in Maori - is fitting, as she is considered one of the top kapa haka instructors in the country.

The mother of four sons has been involved in kapa haka for about 40 years and is a finalist for the Pride of NZ's Lifetime Achievement award.

Mrs Puanaki, in her 60s, is the founding member of Te Kotahitanga, the South Island's longest-running kapa haka group.

Originally from Moerewa and Kawakawa, she was raised and nurtured by the people of Ngai Tahu. It was there that a love for her dance and cultural heritage grew rapidly.

Being recognised for kapa haka was both wonderful and humbling, she said.

"I've performed to many people from around the world and this is part of our kaupapa, our mission - we exist to empower Maori through kapa haka. It's nice to share this with your whanau."

Mrs Puanaki has inspired thousands of people of all ages, even very young children, to perform and take their art to places around the United States, China, Australia, Tahiti and Singapore.

At times, she has been criticised by some Maori who did not agree with her style of using dance and songs from a mix of tribes, or with having a woman in charge.

Watch: Pride of NZ Awards: Tihi Puanaki

"My expectations are always of a high standard - that's what I expect from students. This is just a vehicle towards other aspirations in life and we've got former students who are now orators within our community, TV producers and even ambassadors in other countries. That makes me and all Maori proud."

Mrs Puanaki's nominator is one of her many former kapa haka students, Michelle Manuel.

"Whaea Tihi, for us in Maoridom, is at the forefront," she said in a Pride of NZ profile video for her teacher. "Tihi means 'pinnacle' and she suits her name - she is someone you can aspire to or look up to."

Mrs Puanaki's students came from all backgrounds, including those who had struggled with alcohol and drug abuse. "They've used the kapa haka vehicle to heal. It's that kind of impact that Tihi has on youth today."

Glenn Miller.

Glenn Miller
Lifetime Achievement Award
When you are seen as a leader by your peers and community, you have to live up to it. That's how things should be, Beachlands local Glenn Miller says, and that's why he keeps working for his community, despite officially retiring early last year.

A father of three adult children, Mr Miller spent almost 35 years as a crew member for the Beachlands Volunteer Fire Brigade in Auckland.

In previous years, he was a well-known face at the local rugby club, turning out as a coach for junior rugby teams. He was later made the commodore of the Beachlands Boating Club and then ran an Auckland centreboard sailing club for some time.

Mr Miller, a qualified electrician, now works for the newly established Pohutukawa Coast Helping Hand Trust, a group that aims to help young people who need financial aid to achieve their goals.

Watch: Pride of NZ: Glenn Miller

Speaking about his role in the Fire Service, he said: "I worked and lived in the area for a long time and I was available 24-7 in those days. I just thought, 'Well, I can do it for a bit'."

The Helping Hand Trust, which he also helped to set up, would benefit a younger generation, he said.

Mr Miller said the work he did for his community had never been about getting recognition and he praised the Pride of NZ Awards for highlighting the good work of unsung heroes around the country. "It's just been neat seeing what everybody is doing."

Mr Miller's nominator is a former volunteer firefighter, Deon Anderson, who has known him for about 12 years.