Who we are Ko wai mātou

Tamalene brings more than 30 years of television and film production experience and knowledge to her role of Te Māngai Pāho Board Member. Throughout her extensive career, she has collaborated with other Māori producers and industry organisations to prioritise capacity building, advocate for Māori working in the screen industry, and create opportunities for authentic Māori programming and storytelling. Part of that process was lobbying for a dedicated Māori channel. Tamalene is Chair of the Committee of Management responsible for managing and growing the assets of her Hokianga based hapū and is part of the taumata at Te Herenga Waka O Orewa, a community-based marae in Silverdale.

Brian returns to Te Māngai Pāho Board after a 4-year hiatus. He has over 20 years' experience in the publishing industry as a company director. As a former principal of Te Aute College and an experienced educator, Brian brings to the Board excellent relationship management skills at the strategic level and well-established networks with iwi. Brian is a fluent speaker of Māori and also a Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori licensed translator. Throughout his career, Brian has held many positions in iwi organisations, with his most recent role being the Cultural Lead for the Ngā Ara Tipuna - Digital Storytelling Trail in Waipukurau.

Reikura joined the Board from October 2025 for an 18 month term. Reikura's work experience includes Programme Commissioner at Māori Television for four years. There she was responsible for commissioning more than $10 million in programming annually and assessed the quality and quantity of te reo Māori within programmes. Reikura has been an assessor for Te Māngai Pāho, as well as a consultant on behalf of those seeking funding. Her roles as a kapa haka tutor and storyteller through TV and film highlight her commitment to promoting Māori culture. Through her work Mrs Kahi has been successfully growing and maintaining te reo Māori in urban communities.

Kingi joined the Board in October 2025 for a three-year term. Kingi Kiriona is Managing Director of Tupu Ora, which provides Māori language and capability development services to Iwi and public sector agencies. He is a board member of Whakaata Māori and was appointed to the Waitangi Tribunal in 2025.

Kingi began his career in journalism at TVNZ’s Te Karere. He holds an MA (Music) with distinction and qualifications in te reo Māori, performing arts, and media, and is a licensed translator and graduate of Te Panekiretanga o te Reo.