Aaron Hapuku
Aaron Hapuku is a descendent of Ngāti Kahungunu (ki Heretaunga) and Tainui (Ngāti Mahuta) and has been involved in Māori performing arts, theatre performance and traditional Māori weaponry arts for a number of years.
Aaron is the kaiako (head instructor) and current chair person (Pou Whitu, Taura Tū Taua) for Te Whare Tū Taua ki Waitaha, the Christchurch branch of Te Whare Tū Taua o Aotearoa - School of Ancient Māori Weaponry, started in the 1980’s by Tā Pita Sharples. He also holds the rank of Ahorei (head kaiako) for Mau Taiaha under Koro Mita Mohi (Te Arawa), teaching Taiaha to men and boys of all ages in a wānanga based learning environment in Waitaha (Taumutu, Christchurch) under the local leadership and guidance of Te Mairiki Williams (Ngāi Te Ruahikihiki, Ngāi Tahu).
His interests also include theatre, performing for a number of years alongside Shaky Isles; a London based New Zealand Theatre Company performing a number of original and well-known New Zealand theatre pieces. Now living back in Christchurch as a member of Free Theatre Christchurch, Aaron’s most recent appearances include their 2016 contemporary rendition of Frankenstein and Tapuwae - Footsteps in 2015.
Aaron’s performance background includes being a current member of Te Ahikōmau a Hamo Te Rangi, regularly performing at the biannual Te Matatini National Kapa Haka festival, and internationally at the Lefkas International Festival in Greece 2013. From 2006 to 2012 Aaron traveled and performed extensively as a member of Moana and Tribe with acclaimed Māori singer and songwriter Moana Maniapoto, throughout Aotearoa, Europe, UK, Canada and Asia, with some of the highlights being in Canada in 2011, the New Zealand performances at the World Expo in Beijing, China in 2010 and the Venice biennale in 2009.
He lived for a number of years in London working for the New Zealand government, and was a member of Ngāti Rānana (The London Māori Club) as a performer, kaiāwhina and composer for kaupapa such as their inaugural competitive performance at the Te Manahua competitions in Hawaii in 2008. Work alongside the club involved performing at a number of local and international festivals, support for New Zealand dignitaries and events on the New Zealand calendar, and advice on Tikanga Māori. He was a founding member of Manaia Ltd, a professional Māori performing arts company based in London, and a student and teacher for Maramara Tōtara - the London branch of Te Whare Tū Taua o Aotearoa.
Aaron has a Public Service, youth work, Māori health background, currently working in Māori Public Health/Health Promotion for the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) across a number of community and education settings. Aarons has a degree in Māori Performing Arts from Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, post-graduate qualifications in Public Health (PGDipPH) from Otago University and is currently a student of Te Pīnakitanga o Te Reo Kairangi (level 7 diploma in Te Reo Māori) with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa). Other work includes being a current trustee for Restorative Justice Canterbury and a board member for Ngā Pou Mana - Māori Allied Health Professionals of Aotearoa.
Aaron is the kaiako (head instructor) and current chair person (Pou Whitu, Taura Tū Taua) for Te Whare Tū Taua ki Waitaha, the Christchurch branch of Te Whare Tū Taua o Aotearoa - School of Ancient Māori Weaponry, started in the 1980’s by Tā Pita Sharples. He also holds the rank of Ahorei (head kaiako) for Mau Taiaha under Koro Mita Mohi (Te Arawa), teaching Taiaha to men and boys of all ages in a wānanga based learning environment in Waitaha (Taumutu, Christchurch) under the local leadership and guidance of Te Mairiki Williams (Ngāi Te Ruahikihiki, Ngāi Tahu).
His interests also include theatre, performing for a number of years alongside Shaky Isles; a London based New Zealand Theatre Company performing a number of original and well-known New Zealand theatre pieces. Now living back in Christchurch as a member of Free Theatre Christchurch, Aaron’s most recent appearances include their 2016 contemporary rendition of Frankenstein and Tapuwae - Footsteps in 2015.
Aaron’s performance background includes being a current member of Te Ahikōmau a Hamo Te Rangi, regularly performing at the biannual Te Matatini National Kapa Haka festival, and internationally at the Lefkas International Festival in Greece 2013. From 2006 to 2012 Aaron traveled and performed extensively as a member of Moana and Tribe with acclaimed Māori singer and songwriter Moana Maniapoto, throughout Aotearoa, Europe, UK, Canada and Asia, with some of the highlights being in Canada in 2011, the New Zealand performances at the World Expo in Beijing, China in 2010 and the Venice biennale in 2009.
He lived for a number of years in London working for the New Zealand government, and was a member of Ngāti Rānana (The London Māori Club) as a performer, kaiāwhina and composer for kaupapa such as their inaugural competitive performance at the Te Manahua competitions in Hawaii in 2008. Work alongside the club involved performing at a number of local and international festivals, support for New Zealand dignitaries and events on the New Zealand calendar, and advice on Tikanga Māori. He was a founding member of Manaia Ltd, a professional Māori performing arts company based in London, and a student and teacher for Maramara Tōtara - the London branch of Te Whare Tū Taua o Aotearoa.
Aaron has a Public Service, youth work, Māori health background, currently working in Māori Public Health/Health Promotion for the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) across a number of community and education settings. Aarons has a degree in Māori Performing Arts from Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, post-graduate qualifications in Public Health (PGDipPH) from Otago University and is currently a student of Te Pīnakitanga o Te Reo Kairangi (level 7 diploma in Te Reo Māori) with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa). Other work includes being a current trustee for Restorative Justice Canterbury and a board member for Ngā Pou Mana - Māori Allied Health Professionals of Aotearoa.
