Kia mau o tikanga me te reo Māori , koinei rā tō tūranga teitei e

Cling to your Maori customs and language for there is where you will find your high position

Karetu, T.S 1974 Te Reo Rangatira. Wellington

My name is Frana Repia. I am the wife of James Repia and together we make Nga Ao e Rua.

We have both come from a background of Māori performing arts firstly as cultural performers.

Our kapa haka experience over the last 15+ years includes performing for senior kapa haka teams here in Te Taitokerau.

These kapa have included: Hatea Kapa Haka, Te Timatanga Kapa Haka, Te Whare o Puhi and as of recent Waerenga Te Kaha.

We have also performed in contemporary kapa haka super 12s under Whaiao and Whangarei Mai Tawhiti along with tourism shows under Waitangi Treaty Grounds and Culture North.

Outside of Kapa Haka many branches of interest also became apparent. For me in the space of uniforms, stage props, stage makeup and for my husband Māori weaponry, mau rakau and taonga puoro.

In 2020 after the completion of a bachelours in Maori Visual Arts and during a period of realization I found myself no longer wanting to be a Maori living in a Pakeha world, but a Maori living in a Maori world. I have worked as a public servant for 9 years and my goal was to move up the ladder. My change in perception threw a spanner in the works and these years of employment found myself in a contradiction of beliefs. Here in 2022 and into 2023 the decision to pursue our passions and love for our culture has now taken centre stage.

Nga Ao e Rua is a space designed for our people stuck in the urban drift, who need connection to culture without the heavy obligation of traditions allowing the safe introduction of Te Ao Maori into our homes. And in doing so create a pathway back to our identity.

He Maori Koe? He Maori Au!