Speakers
Kahurangi and Chey Milne
Summit MCs
Arataua Media was founded by a dynamic young couple, Kahurangi and Chey Milne, with the mission to uphold te reo Māori and preserve their cultural heritage.
The couple’s Arataua journey began in 2013 when they relocated from Auckland to Kahurangi’s hometown of Rotorua. They wanted to provide their children with a similar upbringing as their own, deeply connected to their Māori heritage.
Prior to their shift, Kahurangi and Chey had cultivated high-profile careers in various facets of the media and television industry.
Chey, renowned as the “Pūkana guy,” was working in iwi radio at Ngāti Hine FM and eventually became a prominent television presenter on shows like “I AM TV” and various popular Māori Television productions. He expanded into directing and producing while also venturing into the world of te reo Māori hip hop with albums like ‘Whaikōrero Raps’.
Kahurangi began her career as a researcher for the documentary series ‘Waka Huia’ at TVNZ after earning her Bachelor of Communication Studies.
Once the couple and their young daughter Atareta settled in Kahurangi’s papa-kāinga in Ōhinemutu, the couple decided to combine their media and marketing skills, and the concept of Arataua Media was born – on the street with the same name, highlighting the importance of whānau.
Kārena and Kasey Bird
Kārena and Kasey Bird are sisters who grew up in the beach side community of Maketu which is the landing ground of the Te Arawa waka and where they also still currently reside. “We were fortunate to be brought up in a community where everyone knows each other. Fresh fruit, vegetables and seafood were always shared between neighbours when they harvested a crop or came back in from diving and fishing. It was an idyllic childhood”. Kārena and Kasey are fluent speakers of Māori language and their cooking style is firmly rooted in their unique culture heritage.
Food was always a passion for Kārena and Kasey they spent a huge amount of time investing in food experiences and building their culinary knowledge. Before entering Masterchef Karena spent some time living in Wellington before returning to the Bay of plenty where she worked as an auditor. Kasey spent some time living in Melbourne before returning to the Bay of Plenty where she studied Accounting. During this time Kārena and Kasey both took up the opportunity to enter Masterchef New Zealand and in May 2014 Kārena and Kasey were announced the winners of that programme.
Since winning Masterchef Kārena and Kasey have travelled to over 50 destinations across the globe learning about food and culture whilst also being involved with a number of food events and activations throughout New Zealand.
Dan Brant
Daniel (Dan) is a member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte and resides on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory with his wife Roberta Greyeyes. He grew up on the reserve and attended the Indian day school on the reserve and attended high school in Belleville Ontario.
Currently, Dan is proprietor of Daniel J. Brant & Associates (Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Ontario) and is an adjunct professor at Queens University in the School of Policy Studies at Queens University; he has also served as the Chief Administrative Officer, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, Ontario; CEO of Dreamcatcher Charitable Foundation (Ohsweken, Ontario); and previously as a sessional Professor at Algonquin College (Ottawa) and Confederation College (Thunder Bay).
Previously, Dan worked as a Special/Executive Assistant and Senior Policy Advisor to various Minsters and Deputy Ministers for Indian Affairs, Government of Canada, and in various executive positions, CEO of the Assembly of First Nations (Ontario), CEO of the National Aboriginal Capital Corporation Association (Ottawa), Director of Aboriginal Affairs – Environment Canada (Quebec) and Executive Director of the National Indian Brotherhood (Ottawa). He has also worked as an associate with Coopers & Lybrand prior to their amalgamation with Price Waterhouse now PriceWaterhouse Coopers.
Hon Nanaia Mahuta
As a mother, and a former constituent MP with 20 plus years’ experience who has come from ‘flax-root’ politics, Hon Nanaia Mahuta remains connected to the aspirations of people from all walks of life.
During her time in Parliament, Nanaia supported policies and initiatives that built the capacity of communities, especially social service organisations, greater investment in education, employment and training opportunities particularly for young people, supported the continuation of the Treaty settlement process and supported specific initiatives that lift the wellbeing and opportunities for young mums and those who are vulnerable and victims of abuse.
Nanaia is a tribal member of Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Maniapoto and Ngāti Manu and her parliamentary experience has enabled her to contribute to the collective aspirations of Maori and all New Zealanders.
In the 2020 Labour Government, Nanaia became the first woman to hold the Foreign Affairs portfolio. Her other roles in the previous Government also included being Minister of Local Government, and Associate Minister for Māori Development.
Nanaia is currently writing, facilitating research collaborations and initiatives to support marae and iwi development, provides strategic, governance and policy advice and is an Independent Director. She is most proud of being a manager for her daughters netball team and learning to make jam and preserves.