Kaihere Ao is a role formed from the want and desire of the Company, to move forward and honour not only their bi-cultural journey but also to build and foster relationships between tangata whenua and NZ Opera as the Company progresses on this journey. The name “Kaihere Ao” means: One who brings the kaupapa of the day together as do the manu tūturu o Aotearoa ( native birds of Aotearoa ).

In February 2021, this name was kindly gifted by our cultural competency whānau, Tūtira Mai NZ (Wairangi Jones – Te Arawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Ngāti Maniapoto and Cherie (Panda) Waititi – Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau-a-Apanui) who guide and tautoko the Company on our haerenga Māori. Awhimai Fraser (Waikato, Ngai Tāmanuhiri, Ngāi Te Ipu) currently sits in this role for the Company.

Te Amokura Consultancy also sits as cultural Kaiārahi and Kaiāwhina (Māori consultants and advisors) for NZ Opera and we have the honour of working alongside Te Rau Kupenga – Ngāti Porou, Lynette Amoroa – Tūhoe and Heemi Kapa-Kingi – Te Aupōuri, Ngāti Kahu ki Whaingaroa, Te Whānau a Apanui, Waikato.

Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi.

“With your contribution and my contribution, the community will prosper.”