Māori influencers sparking movements on and off our screens - and now on the M9 stage
On June 27th, M9 will be celebrating its two year anniversary by gathering nine influential Māori voices for its seventh instalment: Ngāti Pae Pāpori - Māori Influencing Social Media.
Social media is a global phenomenon. With one push of a button, we instantly become connected to the world at large on an unprecedented scale. But why do people invest so much time into creating content, and what drives them to hit record?
Celebrating their 2nd birthday in the windy city of Te Whanganui-a-Tara, this Matariki iteration of M9 takes a deep dive into the art of content creation, the psychology and thought processes involved, and what it is that propels the nine kaikōrero to share their lives and tell their stories online. They will speak to their experiences, the highs and lows, and what they ultimately hope to imprint on society in the social media space.
Recently announced candidate for the Tauranga Mayoral bid and M9 event curator, Ria Hall, says this M9 will explore the ways Māori have carved out powerful paths on social media.
“Social media has the ability to spark change and drive movements. With the click of a share button, content can spread like wildfire and we’re seeing mata Māori not only part of, but at the forefront of these movements,” says Hall.
“Whether it be their hīkoi through te ao Māori, challenging the trolls, celebrating waiata Māori, or their journey to recovery, these kaikōrero are ready to take the M9 stage.”
The nine high-profile kaikōrero are:
Nicola Adams (Nix) (Ngāpuhi) @cwknix
Paaka Davis (Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga a Māhaki, Te Whānau a Kai, Ngāti Kahungunu) @paakadavis
Makaia Carr (Ngāruahine, Ngāti Kahungunu) @makaiacarr
Millie Elder-Holmes (Ngāti Kuri, Te Rarawa, Te Aupōuri, Ngāpuhi) @millieelderholmes
Aroha Tamihana (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Ranginui) @maimoa.creative
Te Kahukura Boynton (Te Whakatōhea, Ngāti Kahungunu,Tūhoe) @maorimillionaire_
Te Rawhitiroa Bosch (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa) @rawhitiroa
Jordan Vaha’akolo (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Maniapoto) @theriver_jordan
Raukura Huata (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou) @raukurahuata
Kaikōrero and TikTok influencer Paaka Davis has a collective following of over 500,000, and says his social media can be a place for a laugh, as well as a place to connect.
“Social media isn’t just about hashtags and cat videos. It’s also a place where inspiring stories are shared and communities are built,” Davis says.
“There are so many Māori creators in this space now who are paving the way on social media in their own ways.”
M9 will be reaching new audiences with its first show in Wellington.
“We’re excited to take M9 to Te Whanganui-a-Tara for the first time. Part of the M9 vision has always been to share this unparalleled experience with people all over Aotearoa,” says Hall.
The event runs from 7:30pm to 9:30pm at the St James Theatre. Tickets are limited and VIP tickets offer exclusive access to pre-show drinks. Purchase your tickets at www.m9aotearoa.co.nz
ENDS
About M9
What is possible when you bring nine powerful Māori voices together on the stage over one evening to inspire, empower and impart kōrero Māori on a topic close to our hearts?
M9 is a ground-breaking event that is the meeting point between modern-day ‘TED-Talks’ and the age-old practice of oratory that our people are world-renowned for. Accessible to all people of Aotearoa, M9 presents unique Māori voices to celebrate Te Ao Māori through Whakaaturanga, Whakaari, Whakawhiti Kōrero - Presentation, Performance, Conversation. Previous M9 instalments saw the below topics discussed:
Matariki Rau Mahara - The Power of Reflection
Whiua ki te Ao - Cast the Māori language to the world
Taku ihi! Taku wehi! Taku wana! Kapa haka: A performers perspective
He Toi Whakairo, He Mana Tangata - Without Māori Art, Who Are We?
He Mataaho ki Te Ao Whakaari - Whānau, Feeds and Fame
Ka Tohe Au, Ka Tohe Au! I am the Sovereign
