The performer and artistic director offers some life advice.

Kura Te Ua knows exactly what she’s here for. The performer, choreographer and artistic director has devoted her life to Māori performing arts.

Later this month she will put rangatahi centre stage when Autaia, a haka theatre platform Te Ua founded, returns to the stage. Autaia blends kapa haka, theatre, haka movement and storytelling, and from August 20-21, hundreds of young performers will take over Auckland’s Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre to perform off their original works.

Ahead of the shows, Te Ua shares what she’s learnt about purpose, integrity, energy vampires and why the people should always matter more than the project.

What bothers you most about the world right now?

Systems that were created to dismantle te ao Māori and the arts. I think a lot of my mahi is about creating spaces where our people don’t have to ask permission to be who they are.

What sort of people do you avoid?

Energy vampires. You can sense them from a mile away. I love people who bring something to the room – not status, but energy, ideas, laughter, generosity and possibility.

What makes you want to get up in the morning?

The people and kaupapa that I serve. Someone asked me the other day how I do it. I know what I was put on this Earth to do. I know that Māori performing arts is my vehicle. It’s the thing that has shaped and freed me, and I’ve seen firsthand its power to do the same for others. I know who I’m here to serve, I know the kaupapa I’m here to serve, and I know there is still so much more to create.

How do you hold onto hope in these crazy times?

When things feel uncertain or heavy, I go back to the mahi, the people and the things I can actually influence. Creating has always been my way of making sense of the world. Gotta keep moving, keep building, keep imagining something better and eventually things shift.

What is the single best quality a human can have?

Integrity. I have huge respect for people who stand by their values, do what they say they’re going to do, and own it when they get something wrong.

What’s over-rated?

Recognition without substance. I’m much more interested in what you’re actually building, who benefits from it, and whether it still has value when nobody is clapping.

What’s under-rated?

People doing meaningful mahi without needing recognition. There are incredible people in our hāpori who quietly serve, teach, create and build, often holding everything together. That kind of consistency and service is hugely underrated.

If you could have a do-over, what would you change?

Not much, everything has unfolded as it needed to. I think sometimes the things that felt like setbacks at the time were actually redirecting me towards where I needed to be.

What brings you joy?

My son. Watching him grow is one of the greatest privileges of my life. He’s my greatest gift. I feel something similar watching the rangatahi I work with discover who they are and realise what they’re capable of. There’s a moment when you see someone start to believe in themselves, and I never get tired of witnessing that. I also love being around people who laugh hard and who aren’t afraid to push boundaries.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

Life happens for you, not to you. Some of the hardest experiences of my life have eventually opened doors I couldn’t see at the time.

What advice do you wish you’d never followed?

You have to do everything yourself. For a long time I think I confused being capable with having to carry everything. They’re not the same thing. The bigger the vision becomes, the more you need great people around you who bring strengths you don’t have.

Tell us about a controversial opinion you hold. 

Excellence should never be lowered to make people comfortable, it should be taught so more people can reach it.

When you’re feeling low, what helps?

Moving my body, te taiao, time with people who remind me about what matters. Sometimes I just need to get out of my own head and back into life.