Bridging Worlds: My Journey to Uia Te Kura
Hinerupe wahine, Hinerupe pōtiki, Hinerupe rangatira e
Ki te taha o tōku pāpā,
Ko Whetumatarau, ko Taupiri ngā maunga
Ko Awatere, ko Waikato ngā awa
Ko Horouta, ko Tainui ngā waka
Ko Hinerupe, ko Hukanui ngā marae
Ko Te Whānau-ā-Hinerupe, ko Ngāti Wairere ngā hapū
Ko Ngāti Porou, ko Waikato-Tainui ngā iwi.
Ki te taha o tōku māmā,
He whakapapa Pākehā, ā, i ahu mai ōku tūpuna mai i Scotland, Ireland, Australia, France me England.
Ko Deane-Rose Ngatai-Tua tōku ingoa.
Tihei mauri ora!
Kia ora, I’m Deane, and I live in Onewherowhero – Kelston in Waitākere, Tāmaki Makaurau with my husband Jarrod and our two daughters. My whakapapa connects me to Ngāti Porou, Waikato-Tainui, and Pākehā ancestry. These connections have shaped how I see the world and inspire my journey as an urban Māori navigating te ao Māori and te ao Pākehā.
I grew up as an urban Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau. People often describe me as a bridge—someone who can bring people together, build relationships, and create spaces where people feel safe to be vulnerable, to connect, reflect, and contribute their voices and ideas.
Growing up in Māori-medium education grounded me in te reo, tikanga, and mātauranga Māori, while shaping my identity as an urban Māori. Kapa haka was a big part of this journey—grounding me in culture and community. These experiences grew my passion for supporting kaupapa Māori and working alongside whānau and communities.
My career began with a passion for design and the arts. While studying, I completed a Bachelor of Design and Visual Arts, majoring in Photography and Media Arts, and later a Master in Design. During this time, I worked for over 10 years at a contemporary Māori art gallery. I also spent a year at Corban Estate Arts Centre, where I developed skills in art programming, administration, and funding.
From there, I joined Auckland Council’s graduate programme, gaining hands-on experience in arts, community services, and events. Over the years, I stepped into roles in Community Empowerment, Service Strategy & Integration, Enabling Council, and Māori Outcomes. These roles helped me strengthen my practice in community development, social design, strategy, Te Tiriti partnerships, systems change and project management.
Later, at the Tāmaki Regeneration Company, I worked in the social housing space, learning about social change and the opportunities to improve housing and grow community wellbeing. These experiences gave me a deep understanding of systems and the power of whānau voices to drive change.
In 2023, after having my second child, I decided to shift my focus from working within the system to working alongside communities. I began working as a consultant, bringing me closer to flaxroots and the kaupapa I care deeply about—growing Māori leadership, strengthening kaupapa Māori, and making a difference for future generations.
Now, as the founder of Uia Te Kura, I walk alongside changemakers, communities, and organisations to strengthen kaupapa that drive intergenerational change and mana motuhake. Uia Te Kura is grounded in kaupapa Māori and shaped by my experiences as an urban Māori, providing a unique perspective that bridges cultures, systems, and communities.
My journey has led me to Uia Te Kura, a space where I bring together my whakapapa, lived experience, and skills to support kaupapa that matter. Through this mahi, I contribute to a future grounded in equity, connection, and opportunity for generations to come.
If my story resonates with you, I’d love to connect and kōrero about how we can work together to create meaningful change.
Uia te kura, ka whiria te māramatanga, ka ora te iwi
Seek knowledge, weave wisdom, and the people will thrive
