Ko wai tēnei? is a series profiling inspirational Māori in Aotearoa and beyond. Today, we get to know Chey Milne.

Those familiar with the Māori media scene will be familiar with Chey Milne. The co-founder of Arataua Media, Milne is also an actor, content producer and rapper – among other things. His latest waiata Hoata has recently been released as part of the new waiata Māori project Kōkōuri.

Ko wai koe? Nō hea koe?

Ko Chey Atera Milne ahau. Nō Te Tai Tokerau me Ngāi Tahu ahau, but I was born and raised in Manurewa and Ōtara. My late teens and early adult years were spent in Te Tai Tokerau which were mean, but I’ve been living in Te Arawa for a while now with my whānau, so nowadays I call Rotorua home.

What’s the kaupapa that drives you right now?

Ahakoa he aha te kaupapa, e mahia ana e au. Mēnā e hāngai ana ki taku āo, ka mutu, mēnā e rongo ana au i te hiko, well then leshgo!

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Probably something that I’ve struggled heaps with over the years, but the older I get, the more I understand it: Waiho kia mihia koe e te iwi. For me, this isn’t about trying to chase validation from anyone but more about humility and service without recognition. Rather than boasting about your own achievements or seeking praise, it suggests that your mahi and character should speak for themselves. And if e pono ana koe ki ō mahi then theoretically, te mahi ā te wairua will recognise and honour you in its own time.

What’s one challenge you’ve had to overcome on your journey?

If I was to be honest with you, it’s probably being urban Māori. You know, I’m not crying about it at all. In fact, its probably been a superpower of mine. Hoi anō, there is a dilemma there for a young urban Māori man. When your whole life has been about being somebody or something which is cool, but you’re still not quite sure as to where you fit in the taiao – I think this reflects hard in my music. But it’s cool, it’s life.

What’s a moment you’re really proud of?

I’m really proud of my whānau. I’m proud that we’re able to work and live in a Māori environment and we’re able to do it together. Not just my own whānau, but my extended whānau and all our friends. Ahakoa ngā piki me ngā heke, we all down with this.

What does success look like to you?

Honestly, it would just be an extension of the last question.

Who are three people you admire and why?

Three honourable mentions in no particular order are:

• My Nana and Pop – totally different but both just turned 80.
• My kids – navigating their way through the world while listening to my pakiwaitara lol
• Montel Tivoli – he works with us at Arataua, and to see his commitment and drive for a young fulla is mean! I wanna be like him when I grow up.

What keeps you grounded?

My whānau, my bros and jiu jitsu.

What’s one whakaaro you want to leave our readers with?

You know, we can’t always be the main guy who knows everything – who knows all the karakia and all the waiata. But what we can do is find ways to use the tools of our tūpuna and still have impact, in our own way!

Flat or round doughboys in your boil up?

Round.

Kia ora rā and the Kōkōuri x Hoata album is available to stream now on Spotify.