Hamiora de Thierry is a passionate practitioner and teacher of mau rākau. Since committing fully to mau rākau in 2017, Hamiora continues on working towards mastering its techniques and exploring the broader creative potential it offers, blending it with his experiences in dance, poetry and youth work.

For Hamiora, creativity is synonymous with freedom—a way to express love and light in everything he does. Through mau rākau, he has found a powerful medium for preserving and passing on knowledge to his children, family and community. The movements are more than just physical exercises; they are “respiratory pockets of knowledge,” each holding centuries of history and culture that continue to resonate in the modern world.

“Creativity means freedom to express love and light. Within my art form, I’m fortunate to recreate stories that we can pass on to our kids, family, and community. There are infinite libraries of knowledge in these ancient movements, and it’s amazing to see them adapt to modern times.”

Hamiora’s practice is closely connected to his roles within his marae and the wider Kīngitanga movement. Whether training at sunrise with his sons or standing in line to welcome dignitaries at Tuurangawaewae Marae, each moment is filled with honour and a sense of purpose. These experiences, rich in cultural significance, not only reinforce links to his heritage but also inspire him to keep exploring the creative depths of mau rākau. Through his dedication, Hamiora is doing his part to ensure that this art form remains a living, breathing part of Māori culture.