Louisa Tipene OpetaiaLouisa Tipene Opetaia

Louisa Tipene Opetaia (Te Rarawa, Hāmoa, Whītī) is a kaihononga, for Glorious Publicity. She is a seasonal tour guide with Haka Tours, serving as a connector between international guests and Aotearoa, providing cultural experiences and sharing te reo Māori, tikanga and pūrākau (stories) with manuhiri from all over the world.

My fight to bring my Māori children home

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Who would leave the safety of Covid-free New Zealand to travel to the US during a pandemic amid escalating racial tensions? Well, I would – but only for three very special reasons.  My whakapapa extends from the tangata whenua (people of the land) of Aotearoa and across the Pacific to Samoa, Europe and beyond. I … Read more

A Rugby World Cup lesson: Disrespect the haka at your own peril

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On Saturday, South African fans sang loudly over the top of the All Blacks’ haka in the opening round of the Rugby World Cup. Opposing sides and crowds can do what they want, writes Louisa Tipene Opetaia, but they should heed the lessons of the past. Four years of build-ups culminated in the highly anticipated … Read more