THE ORATOR OF THE KING 

Rahui Papa has spent his life dedicated to his people. With a wealth of knowledge and experience in Waikato culture and language, Rahui is highly respected as an expert in his field and for these reasons has served as the orator to the current Māori king: honing the skills he has learned from some of the greatest orators and historians of his people. 

During our conversation, Rahui shared with us his insights into the future of whaikōrero, the oratory art form that involves the skilled use of speech and te reo Māori. He discussed how he sees this ancient practice evolving and adapting to the modern world, and what his hopes are for its continued growth and development. 

As we listened to Rahui speak, it was clear that his passion for whaikōrero and his dedication to preserving its traditions and teachings are unwavering. He is truly a testament to the power of language and the importance of preserving the cultural heritage of his people. 

This is his story. Indigenous 100 – Rahui Papa