A year-long mentoring programme leading to a public showcase event, PĀO brings stars of contemporary Māori music together with emerging rangatahi talents to wānanga at marae, developing professional skills in kaupapa reo Māori, song-writing, musicianship, vocal performance and marketing.
The first PĀO mentorship programme was held in December 2014. Mentors include Ria Hall (vocal coach, stage performance), Maisey Rika (singing and song writing), Seth Hapu (production), John James Rika (musicianship) and Horomona Horo (taonga pūoro). The programme involved a two-day wānanga and showcase at one of Auckland’s largest Waitangi events in Manukau City where the artists performed their original composition to an audience of over 2000.
Over the years, Ngatapa has developed the programme to involve four marae wānanga per annum, with regular support from Tama and many of our top Māori musicians, including a range of public and televised performance opportunities, and assisted the development of a number of major stars in Māori music and entertainment.
2014: Matariki on the Waterfront, PAO Tuakana Teina Collective, Auckland
2015: PAO Tuakana Teina Collective, Ray Freemans Arts Centre, Auckland
2016: PAO Tuakana Teina Collective, Waitangi Day Family Celebrations Hayman Park, Auckland
2017: PAO Tuakana Teina Collective – Album Showcase
2018: PAO Tuakana Teina Collective, Māori Television Live Showcase, Auckland
2019: PAO Tuakana Teina Collective, Te Oro, Auckland
