About the Facilitator

- Amie, Make Mistakes in Māori student.

Makaira Waugh is a Māori arts specialist kaiako, artist, writer and celebrant dedicated to acting upon and celebrating the power of love.

"Makaira’s insightful, playful, empowering style of teaching has provided a safe space to allow me to be comfortable in the vulnerable. I have found the sessions to be incredibly educational not only for affirming my minimal knowledge of te reo but for healing my inner self to enable me to embrace my culture and proudly share it with others. Each week I have come away feeling grounded, fulfilled, supported, enlightened and childlike, wanting to learn and experience more. I could not recommend him more highly for those who wish to discover and grow their knowledge and understanding of not only te ao Māori and all that this encompasses but more importantly – themselves."

Ko tā te manawa, he aroha. E noi e te mana aroha!

Makaira taught arts education activities as tools for language revitalisation for Indigenous teachers, schools and early childhood centres in México in 2020 and 2024, on a scholarship from Manapou ki te Ao.

A playful and joyous registered kaiako, Makaira has woven his teaching magic across a wide range of subjects, levels, cultures and languages, from Kōhanga Reo through kura kaupapa Māori, secondary, adult and teacher education.