22 May 2025
At the end of April we farewelled Tama Ale Samoa (Taranaki, Ngā Ruahine) who had been Tāwhiri's Pouārahi Māori and on our leadership team since 2021.
With over 10 years’ experience as a cultural adviser, teacher and translator including with Te Kāhui Tūroa, Lower Hutt City Council, Te Whare Maire o Tūhaereao and Paparākau Tuarua Kohanga Reo, Tama brought a wealth of experience and knowledge to Tāwhiri.
Tama Ale’s role was focused on the implementation of Tāwhiri’s Intercultural Policy across the organisation, supported by the wider team. During his time, he developed strong and trusted relationships between Tāwhiri and mana whenua and guided the organisation’s use of tikanga and te reo Māori.
We acknowledge Tama Ale’s significant impact on Tāwhiri and wish him all the best in his role with Wellington City Council.
Before he left, Kate caught up with Tama Ale to ask a few questions about his time at Tāwhiri and find out what’s next for him.
What were the major changes you noticed over the last four years at Tāwhiri?
A true and genuine commitment to uplifting mana Māori in a predominantly Pākehā space. Raising awareness of this beautiful world that is completely unknown to many Māori like me. The major change I have witnessed is the building of a bridge of connection, upon where all peoples can walk and be one in this beautiful world of Arts and discovery, that I knew nothing of until I started at Tāwhiri.
Where do you see the future of the intercultural work at Tāwhiri heading?
I believe all this intercultural work is simply re discovering what makes us one as human beings, the common values every culture share: hospitality, music, art, food etc. It's about going back to good old common sense, and the virtues of humanity, empathy, humility, and honour, towards all people, towards all places, towards all people of all places. The Intercultural work is in good hands with the Leadership Team alone, and with support from Matua Ben Ngāia from the board, and the future Pou Māori to be, the future of Tāwhiri's Intercultural work looks bright and well.
What has been your highlight or what was your proudest moment?
My proudest moment and highlight working with Tāwhiri is the people. I am beyond blessed, privileged, and honoured to have rubbed shoulders with such amazing, talented, skilled yet humble people.
What’s next for you, and how do you think your experiences here will shape your next steps?
Next for me is working as Pou Reo Māori for the Wellington City Council. Without my experiences at Tāwhiri, I wouldn't have the courage to work in a place like the council. Tāwhiri taught me so much about the western world and I will be forever grateful for those teachings.
If you could leave one message for the team here at Tāwhiri, what would it be?
Titiro ki runga ki ngā mounga tāwhiriwhiri,
Titiro ki raro ki te whenua tāmoremore,
Purutia te whakaiti, koia te whare o whakaaro nui.
Look above to the calling mountains (strive for excellence)
Look below to the rooted land (but remain grounded in what is true and right)
Hold fast to humility, for that is the house of empathy (remain humble, and always be kind)
