Meet Essence Puha-McGrath (Te Whakatōhea), Oho Mauri! #2. 

Raised in the South Auckland suburb of Manurewa, this 13yr old wahine toa is on her journey of discovering who she truly is as Māori. From being questioned by her kuia as to why she wanted to speak te reo or learn about her māori culture Essence became ashamed of being Māori until a newfound passion arose within her. Essence is now on a journey of finding her tuakiri as Māori in order to become the mana wāhine she has always been called to be.