Tuhoe Potiki, Ngati Hine
Maaka went to the best performing arts school for six years � the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment. He has been performing for over a decade with companies such as Touch Compass Dance Trust, Auckland Dance Company, Black Grace, Taiao Dance Theatre, Pacific Sisters and most recently for The World of Wearable Arts in Wellington.
Maaka has choreographed, directed and performed for theatre, film and television in Taiwan, Australia, the U.S.A and throughout Aotearoa. His most recent choreographic work was Tatau Rangi for Auckland City as part of their Matariki celebrations, and his chronology of choreographic works include The Whale Rider Stage Production, The Maori Merchant of Venice and Maui Potiki for He Taonga Films, Te Wero for Interdigitate 95, Ether and A Quick Look at Sound, Light and Time. Maaka was named the NZ Listener's Best New Work by an Emerging Choreographer for his debut full length Atamira show Memoirs of Active Service in 2006.
