Tui Matira Ranapiri-Ransfield
Mātanga Mātauranga Māori

NGĀTI OHOMAIRANGI

Tūī is a descendent of Ohomairangi and Mākuratawhiti of the Ngāti Ohomairangi people. Her grandparents hail from the vessels: Te Arawa, Hōkioi, Tainui, Honoiti, Uruao, Hohou-te-rongo, Kaiwhare, Mataatua, Nukutere, Nukutaimemeha, Paikea, Ārai-te-uru, Uruao, Tākitimu, Manuka, Maahunui, Ko Wai Ka Tohu, Kurahaupō. She was raised into an extended whānau including all her grandparents and siblings. She is the eldest of seven, and to date is a part of a five generational whānau. Tūī raised the first 19 mokopuna with her sisters and the first two mokopuna tuarua.

A highly skilled Māori performing artist, Tūī is an expert in Mau rākau a Matarua (Weaponry Māori). She specialises in patu (short clubs) and teaches these arts with people throughout Aotearoa, Australia and London. Tūī is senior wahine karanga for her many pā and on her marae, including most pā throughout Te Arawa.

Tūī is also a creator, composer, tutor and first female leader of Te Matarae-i-Ōrehu 1994 - 1997 (top National Kapa Haka), and over the last 35+ years has been a judge for Māori performing art forms from primary through to tertiary level, including senior regionals for Te Matatini and various ahurei and ahurea throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, Hawai’i and Australia. She has performed herself in the ‘creme de la cream kapa haka’ throughout Aotearoa including: Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Te Arahi, Te Rautahi, Tūhourangi-Ngāti Wāhiao, and Waihirere. Tūī has toured extensively nationally and globally leading kapa haka tours and performances as an experienced Cultural Ambassador for Aotearoa New Zealand including managing the Aotearoa Māori Cultural Group, part of the NZ Symphony Brass Band Orchestra, on a European Tour to the 2005 World Music Championships in Kerkrade.

Tūī is Mātanga Mātauranga Māori/Kuikui (Specialist/Expert Māori Knowledge and Wisdom) / Indigenous Cultural Advisor for Tuatara Collective. She has worked in the contemporary dance industry since 2011 and film industry since her teens. Tūī travels extensively throughout the globe as a cultural ambassador and specialist as Mātanga Mātauranga Māori, working with both local and international dance companies.

Outside of the arts, Tūī is a skilled researcher and a trained Human Rights Commissioner (Taku Manawa). She worked for the NZ Defence Force (NZDF) for 18+ years with the tri-service (Army, Navy and Air Forces) as Co- Cultural Advisor with Hemi Te Peeti as Mātanga Karanga me te Poroporoākī me ōna tikanga. She often calls for NZDF at various functions and hui.

Tūī is a proactive Te Arawa uri, not only of her Te Arawa, Tūwharetoa clans, but also Te Wai Pounamu, Tainui – Ngāti Hauā, Parehauraki, Parewaikato and Raukawa, Mataatua clans – Taurangamoana. Currently Tūī is a first- year student studying under Mihingare, doing a Tohu Mihingare in Kamo, Whangarei under Mihingare Church, and Pīhopa Rt Reverend Kītohi Pīkaahu, Reverend John Payne, Archbishop Venerable Fran Hokianga, Reverend Canon Arthur Hokianga, and Venerable Dr Lyndon Drake. Next year, this will be a BD under Awanuiarangi.