Kura Te Ua

Kura Te Ua is a Māori performing arts practitioner, choreographer and artistic director. She specialises in kapa haka and has developed the new hybrid-form 'haka theatre'. Her company Hawaiki TŪ creates haka theatre events including in 2023 where Autaia is featuring 400 student performers.

Biography Te Ua was born in Auckland and raised in a community of Black Power gang members in the suburbs of Glen Innes and Ōtāhuhu. Te Ua is of Te Rarawa, Te Aupōuri, Te Aitanga a Māhaki, Te Whakatōhea and Tūhoe descent. As a teenager she joined Pounamu Huia, a performing arts training school and group. In 2011 she co-founded a Māori contemporary dance and performance company, Hawaiki TŪ. In 2023 she is studying towards a PhD with Te Wharewānanga o Awanuiārangi. Te Ua is the creative director of Aitaia and it is co-produced with her company Hawaiki TŪ and Auckland Live. It is the third year for this event to be held. Autaia means “to be extraordinary” and this kaupapa encourages every single person involved to step into the world of haka theatre because on the other side awaits a pathway of passion, pride and unwavering self belief.’ (Kura Te Ua 2023) M9, He toi whakairo, he mana tangata - without Māori art, who are we? (6 Jul 2023), Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre, Auckland. Presenting alongside Stacey Morrison (MC), Matai Smith, Troy Kingi, Cilla Ruha, Rawiri Waititi, Dr Kiri Tamihere, Peata Melbourne and Bailey Mackey. Te Matatini with Te Waka Huia (2023), Auckland - performer.

Awards and recognition In 2013, Te Ua received the Tup Lang Choreographic Award from Creative New Zealand.