Ngarimu Parata

Ngarimu Parata (Ngati Porou, Ngai Tahu) is the newly appointed Kaiurungi Toi Tangata – Director People, Language and Culture. He brings a wealth of experience in language and cultural revitalisation, governance across both public and private sectors, and transformational leadership.
In 2025, Ngarimu was honoured to be a judge at Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga, the most prestigious kapa haka festival in Aotearoa and one of the largest Indigenous cultural events globally. His selection affirms his standing in te ao haka and the trust placed in him to uphold excellence in Māori performing arts.
Ngarimu views Whakaata Māori as a kauhanga — a portal into and out of the Māori world. Guided by the whakataukī (proverb) “Kia maranga te kauae tapu o te Māori ki runga”, he champions the elevation of Māori knowledge systems as treasures to be shared, honoured, and upheld on the world stage.