Rising Stars of Matariki

Their mums need to supervise when they're playing in pubs, but Taupō teenagers Lucian McDermott and Khani Te Mete are already making their mark in music. Read more

A Māori-Cook Islands doctor who once dreamed of becoming an All Black is now changing lives with an exercise programme inspired by preparing coconut cream. Read more

Jacob Ngaha believes he's Aotearoa's very first Māori quantum physicist. He says there's room for mātaraunga Māori in the science world - and he wants more rangitahi to join his learning journey. Read more

Paige Tapara was inspired to become a pop star after watching an American tween movie as a child. Now, she wants to inspire queer Māori artists to own their space in Aotearoa's music industry. Read more

Strong whānau support has enabled Aniwa Whaiapu Koloamatangi to carve out a thriving career as a proud takatāpui Māori actor and TV presenter. Read more

His mayoral hopes were dashed in 2022, but Elijah Pue is determined to return to the political arena when the time is right and serve his people. Read more

Chloe Butcher-Herries knew she wanted to be a farmer since she was eight years old. Now she wants to inspire other wahine Māori to join the industry.  Read more

At 14, Lyall Minhinnick looked like he was on the fast-track to trouble. At 28, he’s one of Aotearoa’s rising culinary stars. Read more

Making the Tasman Mako's rugby team has taken a huge amount of commitment and sacrifice from 17-year-old Buller High School student Ashlee Forsyth and her whānau.  Read more

Media producers Kimiora Kaire-Melbourne and Te Aorere Pewhairangi are proof that total immersion learning in te reo Māori can be a springboard to crafting great careers.  Read more

One of the first Māori artists to gain a PhD in fashion says his whakapapa is a “super power” that gives him the extra edge in his creative endeavours. Read more