Name Turuhira Hare | ||
Occupation Maori Performing Arts Mentor and Educator Role Te Uruhina McGarvey-Tiakiwai's daughter Parents Te Uruhina McGarvey-Tiakiwai | ||
Turuhira Hare, (born 1957) is a Maori educator and Performing Arts mentor. She is a descendant of Tuhoe and Te Arawa tribes, and is the daughter of the late Te Uruhina McGarvey-Tiakiwai, a prominent kuia of Tuhoe.
Turuhira is known for her many contributions to Maori education and cultural performing arts. She is also known for her many compositions written both in English and Maori – those of which are still sang by Maori cultural groups today. Turuhira has tutored the Ruatoki Senior Maori Cultural Group since the late 1970s, and was also one of the first with Maori educators Tawhirimatea and Kaa Williams to have tutored the Ruatoki primary, intermediate and secondary school kapa haka groups since they began. Unlike modern Kapa Haka influences, Turuhira's influence on Maori Performing Arts resemble the traditional stand of her Tuhoe people.
Turuhira's contributions has seen her Judge at Primary and Intermediate Kapa Haka competitions for over 25 years. Since retiring from the stage of cultural performance, she is now seen as one of the judges for the Te Matatini National Festival, however continues to mentor her Iwi through traditional stances of Kapa Haka.
History
In an interview with Movie Producer Vincent Ward, Turuhira appeared in the 2008 documentary Rain of the Children. In February 2009, Turuhira, won the title of the best female leader of the Te Matatini Kapa Haka National competitions.
Turuhira was a Board of Education Member, and Deputy Principal of the Ruatoki school. She has also been a Deputy Principal at other schools and has also held some numerous positions on Government agency boards.