Mā mua ka kite a muri, mā muri ka ora a mua.
Those who lead give sight to those who follow, those who follow give life to those who lead.
Waitahi Aniwaniwa McGee and Tahuaroa Ohia are two of four outstanding rangatahi kahukura honoured for their inspirational mahi at the E Tū Whānau Ann Dysart Kahukura Award ceremony held at Ōrongomai Marae, Upper Hutt on 1 July 2026.
Waitahi and Tahuaroa are Kaitaki Rangatahi for the E Tū Whānau Rangatahi Film Workshops programme delivered through Māoriland, where they use film-making, storytelling and creativity to support rangatahi development, strengthen cultural identity and build confidence in young people.
These talented young filmmakers are inspiring a new generation of storytellers, supporting rangatahi to grow in confidence, deepen their sense of identity and see new possibilities for their futures.
Waitahi Aniwaniwa McGee and Tahuaroa Ohia – Storytellers, mentors, changemakers
It’s fitting that Waitahi and Tahuaroa have been recognised together. Over the past two years, together they have trained groups of rangatahi through E Tū Whānau Rangatahi Film Workshops held across four rohe throughout Te Ika-a-Māui.
Both began their journeys through opportunities created by Māoriland. Waitahi first explored filmmaking during COVID lockdown, creating projects with friends before pursuing every opportunity she could find in the screen sector. Since then, she has built experience in project development, script development, acting and festival logistics, developing into a confident creative leader.
Tahuaroa developed his skills through MATCH – the Māoriland Ahi Tech Creative Hub. Through hands-on learning and practical experience, he gained the storytelling and technical capabilities that now underpin his leadership in the workshops. His passion for storytelling continues to grow and he is currently writing a book for tamariki Māori.
Helping rangatahi find their voices
Together, Waitahi and Tahuaroa create spaces where rangatahi feel safe, valued and encouraged to be unapologetically themselves. Their E Tū Whānau filmmaking workshops are about much more than learning how to make films. They are about helping young people tell their stories, explore who they are and recognise the value they bring to the world around them.
For many participants, these workshops are environments where they are listened to and encouraged without judgement. As confidence grows, rangatahi begin to realise that their stories matter, their perspectives have value, and their voices deserve to be heard.
Waitahi and Tahuaroa connect with rangatahi through authenticity, humility and aroha. By building genuine trust, they encourage young people to step beyond their comfort zones, embrace vulnerability and lean into their creativity. It is often in these moments that the greatest growth occurs.
From creativity to opportunity
The impact of their leadership can be seen in the way some rangatahi leave the programme with greater self-belief, stronger connections to identity and renewed aspirations for the future. What began as a creative opportunity has evolved into a powerful pathway toward employment, further learning and leadership opportunities.
Wherever they go, Waitahi and Tahuaroa carry the values of E Tū Whānau with them. Through their everyday actions, they demonstrate the importance of uplifting others, nurturing potential and investing in the next generation of leaders.
Their story is a powerful reminder that when rangatahi are given the tools, encouragement and support to tell their own stories, they grow in confidence, strengthen their sense of identity and become leaders within their own communities.
“What these two rangatahi Māori have created together is more than a workshop — it’s a space of transformation; a space where rangatahi find their voices, strengthen their identities, build confidence, and shift their mindsets.”
Shaneece Brunning, E Tū Whānau Kaimahi
