From the beautiful country of Zimbabwe, Thabani Gapara is a saxophonist, composer and music arranger who is using traditional sounds to create his own style called Afro-Groove Jazz. Before moving to New Zealand, he was living in South Africa which he believes is a musical mecca. With a vast list of artists on his cv with whom he has played, Thabani’s beautiful sound will have passed through your ears many times over and his funky moves I guarantee you have witnessed.

In this episode, Thabani talks about his roots in Zimbabwe, how he is incorporating more sounds from his homeland, his experiences playing with some of the biggest artists in Aotearoa, building his own tribe of musicians and how he is reconnecting to traditions from his homeland.

*Just a note, this is part 1 of episode 8

**The background music is Thabani's album 'The Griots Path' available on Spotify and YouTube

Born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau, Jack and Morgan are youth workers helping our rangatahi who suffer from mental health.

During lockdown, they decided to start an Instagram page and podcast called Up2Aotearoa to raise awareness of Mental Health.

Jack went on a spiritual journey causing his eyes to be opened to his true calling of who he is and where he is meant to be. As for Morgan, she had a lightbulb moment while observing one of her tutors at university sitting fully in her power!

In this episode, they share their stories of disconnection and self-discovery but also share their stories of the awakening of their wairua and the mana they walk in.

Born and raised in Auckland but now residing in Melbourne, Ashlie Skudder is of Samoan and Niuean heritage but made a home for herself in Kapa Haka while at High School. Although her dad spoke fluent Samoan she was never raised learning either of her native tongues. Raising Our Authentic Royals aka R.O.A.R is Ashlie's own business in which she is working with other Pasifika people to grow their aspirations. In this episode, she shares her journey of finding where she fits in.

Marie Flavell-Samuel is a māmā of 6 with Māori, Cook Island and Tahitian heritage. She also has whakapapa connecting her to France and Scotland. Marie is a Learning Assitant at a school in South Auckland but is returning to finish her studies to become a teacher as well as completing a Bachelor of Art plus an extra year to teach in the high school system.. In this episode, she shares her story of feeling lost and her yearning to stand fully in who she truly is.

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.

Nau mai ki Oho Mauri! Episode 1 is a quick introduction to the show, who I am and my reasons why I believe this kaupapa and these kōrero are important to have.