About

Deane-Rose Ngatai-Tua

Wahine Māori, Ngāti Porou, Waikato-Tainui, Pākehā

I grew up in Rānui and live in Kelston, Tāmaki Makaurau with my husband and our two tamāhine. I describe myself as an urban Māori.

I went through Māori medium education from primary to secondary school and studied design and visual arts in my tertiary education. My professional career is in social change and I currently work as an independant consultant.

urban whakapapa

The concept of urban whakapapa emerged from my masters study in 2015. I use the term to describe my Māori medium education pathway. It acknowledges the kura, Māori language units, communities and whānau I am connected to. As a journal and visual diary, urban whakapapa is a space to explore my experiences as an urban Māori living, working and raising my tamariki in Tāmaki Makaurau.