Pride of NZ: Kapa haka saviour whose strength changes troubled young lives

Tihi Puanaki Photo / Duncan Brown

Tihi Puanaki

Lifetime Achievement category: Tihi Puanaki doesn't always make choices that the rest of the Maori community approve of -- but they're the right choices for the people in need who come to her.

Her kapa haka programme was considered outrageous by some for being inter-tribal and having a woman in charge, but Ms Puanaki taught her critics a lesson by winning repeated titles.

"I come from a family of strong women who prepared me for conflict," she said.

One of her ex-pupils, Jeni-Leigh Stone-Walker, remembered her from her time at Aranui High School, in Christchurch, in the 1990s.

"Whaea Tihi was an example of a strong woman. She exuded leadership."

Ms Puanaki built a reputation in Otautahi for challenging convention.

Ms Stone-Walker says her teacher was a natural storyteller.

"She had a way of inspiring her students to feel we could achieve. She inspired the belief that being Maori was something to be proud of."

Ms Puanaki's nominator describes her as a saviour.

"She is almost 70, yet has more energy than many of us half her age.

"She develops lost souls into warriors. We believe she should be recognised for this. Whaea Tihi founded the longest-surviving kapa haka group in the South Island, Te Kotahitanga, and uses the art form to mediate some very troubled lives."

Ms Puanaki said she was flattered at being nominated for a Pride Award.

She said kapa haka helped to build confidence in young people.

"Children become empowered. Those young people might become the leaders of society."