Tama was the push behind Te Matatini Kapa Haka Festival, Māori Music Month and the Waiata Māori Awards.
Tama Huata at the Playhouse Theatre in Hastings during the 2012 graduation of Te Wananga Whare Tapere o Takitimu performing arts students. Photo / Glenn Taylor
In 1983, he founded the world-renowned Kahurangi Māori Dance Theatre company, Te Wānanga Whare Tapere o Te Waka Tapu o Takitimu, known as the Takitimu Performing Arts School.
He was also responsible for establishing the first degree programme in Māori performing arts.
Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst explained, "Tama, along with his father Canon Wi Te Tau Huata and the wider whānau, had contributed greatly to the vibrancy and promotion of the Hastings district."
"Along with Tama's many significant achievements, his father Wi composed our much-loved waiata Tutira Mai Ngā Iwi," Hazlehurst said.
In honour of his father, Tama's son, Ariki Huata, has designed a special cloak in the form of a window decal that adorns the Tama Tūranga Huata room.
Ariki Huata, son of Tama Huata, designed a beautiful cloak window decal to wrap around the Tama Tūranga Huata room. Photo / Supplied
Ariki explained he design represents Tama's mana and determination and denotes the space as being one of knowledge and warmth that everyone can engage with.
"It was a privilege to design this for Toitoi – Hawke's Bay Arts and Events Centre, and I hope everyone who uses this space enjoys it," Ariki said.
The Hastings mayor said, "Not only have the HDC named and dedicated a public space to Tama, but they have also embedded the mauri and spiritual presence of Tama in this place as a guardian for all who enter and perform there."
"It's truly special that his legacy and presence lives on in such a visible way to inspire our rich and varied arts and performance community into the future."
