Oriini Kaipara | Tūhoe, Ngāti Awa, Tūwharetoa, Te Arawa

Oriini Kaipara (Tūhoe, Ngāti Awa, Tūwharetoa, Te Arawa) has been a prominent media champion for te reo Māori for many years.  

Kaipara began a 20+ year career at Mai FM in Tāmaki Makaurau, then in 2004 she joined Waka Huia as a reporter. She worked on Te Karere as a presenter, producer and reporter, and went on to front Native Affairs.  

In 2019 she moved into a new role as a news anchor with 1 News. She made international news as the first woman with a moko kauae to present in a prime time news show.  

In 2023 she was appointed as Pouwhiringa - Māori Cultural lead on the New Zealand Olympic Committee, a role that allows her to continue to uphold te reo Māori on local screens, and on the world stage.