May 03, 2016
Te Waka Huia stalwart gets top Te Matatini role
Te Matatini has gone for an experienced pair of hands to take kapa haka to the next stage.
Its new executive director is Carl Ross, whose involvement with the Maori performing arts started with Te Roopu Manutaki in 1969.
Since 1988 he has been a member of Te Waka Huia, along with his wife Donna.
Of Ngapuhi and Scottish descent, he was raised in Moerewa by his grandparents Te Koti and Puti Katene before returning to Te Atatu North to attend Rutherford College.
His career has included stints as general manager of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, a national manager with the Ministry of Fisheries and heading Maori development at Kelston Deaf Education Centre in West Auckland.
In that role he led the development of a national strategy to increase the academic achievement of deaf Maori and built a new marae for the deaf, including the purpose built wharenui Ruaumoko.
Mr Ross says kapa haka is a way to promote good health, social wellbeing and all positive attributes associated with being Maori.
Te Matatini chair Selwyn Parata says the organisation looks forward to Mr Ross's visionary leadership and guidance as it prepares for the next year's national competitions in Heretaunga and plans for the next ten years of kapa haka growth and development.
Copyright © 2016, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com