Boy genius takes up Rotorua role

SUPPLIED

The star of internationally-acclaimed film Maori Boy Genius has taken on a role at Te Puia as he looks to rediscover his Rotorua connections.

Born in Otaki and raised in Napier by his grandparents, Ngaa Rauuira Pumanawawhiti took on his first university degree at the age of 13 at Te Wananga o Raukawa.

"When I was 14, I googled the words 'international politics' and 'education' and the result was Yale University, and that was when I knew I had to go," Mr Pumanawawhiti said.

At 16 and ready to take on the world, he travelled to the United States, chaperoned by his father, for an intensive five-week summer school studying law and politics at the Ivy League Yale University.

"The basis of my acceptance into Yale was due to the fact that I had attained a degree at an indigenous institution - it was a really big win for Wānanga o Raukawa to be recognised in that way.

"The five-week summer school I did in 2009 was 15 weeks of classes crammed into five, so every class had the content of an entire week's worth of classes," he said.

Inspired when she heard his story, New Zealand film producer and director, Pietra Brettkelly approached Mr Pumanawawhiti before he returned to Yale in 2010 and to her surprise, she discovered an "interesting and charismatic young man" who would be able to carry a film.

"When I returned again in 2010, I stayed for 10 weeks during which I studied 60 weeks' worth of content. With the added pressure of being on camera it was really full-on and in hindsight, I probably did it the difficult way," Mr Pumanawawhiti said.

After 16 months' filming, Ms Brettkelly released the feature-length film Maori Boy Genius in November 2011 and it has since received international praise.

Constrained by limited finances, Mr Pumanawawhiti has been unable to return to complete his Bachelor of Liberal Arts, but has every intention to do so in the future.

"I'll return so that I bring the story to completion for those who were inspired by the film, the people who helped make my studies a possibility and everyone that came on the journey with me," he said.

Since returning to New Zealand Mr Pumanawawhiti has been advocating for his people, through his work at Te Wananga o Raukawa as a first year Matauranga Maori lecturer.
He has now taken his knowledge and passion for indigenous New Zealand to Te Puia New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute and into the role of research and communications co-ordinator.

He said the role was an obvious 'next step' as the institute's values and mission were closely aligned with his own.

"At Te Wananga o Raukawa, I was dedicated to encouraging our people to return, to contribute to the home of Maori culture," he said.

"In my new role here at NZMACI, I can take Maori people and culture to the world.

"I'm essentially carrying out the same mission because my dedication to the survival of Maori knowledge hasn't changed. By coming to NZMACI, I can morph my contribution on a wider scale both nationally and internationally."

A descendant of Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Kahungunu, Tuhoe and Te Hiku, he is also on a mission to discover his connections with Rotorua.

"My mother has connections to Rotorua and to be really honest, that's what I'm most excited about - to embark on journey of rediscovery of those connections because they aren't as strong as I would like them to be."