Kingi Kiriona | Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Apa

Kingi Kiriona is an orator, a kapahaka exponent, composer, educator, and broadcaster. His observation of te reo Māori and te ao Māori led him to see that this is a tool for improving the health and well-being of iwi and Māori communities.

This has driven Kingi to realise opportunities for Māori language and culture to be shared, embedded, and recognised across multiple sectors, in particular business, broadcasting, infrastructure, education, and health. 

In 2023, Kingi was appointed Deputy Chief Executive, Mātauranga Māori at Te Aka Whai Ora, the Māori Health Authority. His role was predicated on promoting hauora Māori solutions based on mātauranga Māori, which includes te reo and tikanga Māori.

Kingi has produced close to 100 waiata and haka. Some of his pieces have been used as a learning resource for children in schools throughout Aotearoa. 

Recently, Kingi was reappointed to the board of Whakaata Māori for a third term.