Ko wai tēnei? is a series profiling inspirational Māori in Aotearoa and beyond. Today, we get to know Hana Mereraiha Skerrett-White.

Working on a Disney film is in itself an incredible achievement, let alone working on several as Hana Mereraiha Skerrett-White has. As an expert of te reo Māori, she’s also worked alongised the likes of Lorde and Tim Finn. As the creative genius behind Kōkōuri, Skerrett-White continues to bring together established and emerging Māori artists, producers and mātanga reo Māori.

Ko wai koe? Nō hea koe?

Ko Hana Mereraiha Skerrett-White ahau, he uri nō Waikato, Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Rangitihi, Ngāti Whakaue, Tūhourangi, Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Pūkeko, Ngāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe-Waitaha, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Mutunga, Te Ātiawa, me Ngāti Tama ki Te Tauihu o Te Waka. Born and raised in H-Town, Kirikiriroa now living in Ōwairaka, Tāmaki Makaurau.

What’s the kaupapa that drives you right now?

Over summer I dreamt up the kaupapa of Kōkōuri – a three-day songwriting wānanga as a way to stay active in te ao puoro, and to keep contributing to the growing body of waiata Māori.

Since being part of the first cohort of reo Māori songhubs hosted in Waimārama by Hinewehi Mohi and our pāpā Tīmoti (who has been a huge source of inspiration and guidance for me since I was a little girl), the journey has continued through Waiata Anthems and collaborations with a range of established and emerging artists, including Lorde. It’s been a heck of a ride – one that’s helped me grow both personally and professionally. It also ended up being the perfect segue into my work in the film space, first as a writer on the waiata team for Disney reo Māori adaptations, and later working on general script translation for Shrek reo Māori.

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

There are too many to count. I’ve been fortunate to be mentored and raised by a community of giants, and reflecting on their guidance is second nature to me. But one gem from my Nan that always stuck with me, and it’s a bit left-field, was: “Don’t be afraid of the dead, it’s the living you need to watch out for.” So true! To this day, I’ve never been betrayed or hurt by a kēhua. Only colonial ones.

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

Life is full of challenges, but we’ve just got to keep adjusting our sails, heeding the signs of our taiao, and never lose sight of the bigger picture. On a more personal note, I guess working with people you love, whether whānau or mates, comes with its challenges. I’ve learned that setting strong professional boundaries, having clear roles and responsibilities, and prioritising open, honest communication is key.

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

Standing as one of the wahine karakia for the Matariki hautapu on top of my maunga, Ngongotahā, alongside my whanaunga who I absolutely admire. Most of them are kaihaka in Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue (current Matatini champs), so it was a very humbling experience. It was an honour and privilege to be part of that kaupapa, reclaiming our voices as wāhine in sacred spaces and setting a new precedent for future generations.

What does success look like to you?

Success is raising children who are fluent in te reo Māori, who think critically, are connected to their places of belonging, know how to carry themselves with tikanga Māori, and who help carry our collective legacy into the future. Their growth is an extension of the hard work laid down by our tūpuna and the grounding our generation continues to uphold.

Who are three people you admire and why?

My kuia, koroua and my mum. They are the architects of the community of giants that raised me, nurtured me, and continue to inspire me.

What keeps you grounded?

Tōku reo me āku tikanga. Whenever I feel anxious or unsettled, it’s my reo that brings me back to my centre. He rongoā te reo. Koia ko taku uho tāngaengae, or spiritual cord that connects me to my tīpuna.

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

He pitomata kei roto i a koe, inā hoki he uri koe nō Tama-nui-te-rā. Morimoritia te whenua haumako o Pitomata kia puāwai ō pūmanawa ki te ao.

Translates: There is potential within you, for you are a descendant of Tama-nui-te-rā. Nurture the fertile soil of potential so that your gifts may blossom into the world. We wrote an oriori/pehepehe (lullaby) in te reo Tahiti and Māori based on this whakatauākī, which will be released very soon under a Mutuwhenua moon.

Flat or round doughboys in your boil up?

Flat – just make sure the notes aren’t.

Finally – what’s something about you most people don’t know?

I once caught a tīrairaka with my bare hands. It had flown into the wharenui mattress room and was panicking. I had to channel my mahi tītī whakapapa – closed my eyes, thought of my Poua (the greatest mutton-birder I’ve ever known) who was taught by his grandmother, my namesake Hana West, born on Ruapuke Island. I managed to calm him, catch him and set him free.