Māori Influencers Sparking Movements On and Off our Screens and now on the M9 Stage

Māori influencers sparking movements on and off our screens – and now on the M9 stage On June 27th, M9 will be celebrating its two year anniversary by gathering nine influential Māori voices for its seventh instalment: Ngāti Pae Pāpori – Māori Influencing Social Media.

Social media is a global phenomenon. With one push of a button, we instantly become connected to the world at large on an unprecedented scale. But why do people invest so much time into creating content, and what drives them to hit record?

Celebrating their 2nd birthday in the windy city of Te Whanganui-a-Tara, this Matariki iteration of M9 takes a deep dive into the art of content creation, the psychology and thought processes involved, and what it is that propels the nine kaikōrero to share their lives and tell their stories online. They will speak to their experiences, the highs and lows, and what they ultimately hope to imprint on society in the social media space.

Recently announced candidate for the Tauranga Mayoral bid and M9 event curator, Ria Hall, says this M9 will explore the ways Māori have carved out powerful paths on social media.

“Social media has the ability to spark change and drive movements. With the click of a share button, content can spread like wildfire and we’re seeing mata Māori not only part of, but at the forefront of these movements,” says Hall.

“Whether it be their hīkoi through te ao Māori, challenging the trolls, celebrating waiata Māori, or their journey to recovery, these kaikōrero are ready to take the M9 stage.”

The nine high-profile kaikōrero are:

● Nicola Adams (Nix) (Ngāpuhi) @cwknix

● Paaka Davis (Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga a Māhaki, Te Whānau a Kai, Ngāti Kahungunu) @paakadavis

● Makaia Carr (Ngāruahine, Ngāti Kahungunu) @makaiacarr

● Millie Elder-Holmes (Ngāti Kuri, Te Rarawa, Te Aupōuri, Ngāpuhi) @millieelderholmes

● Aroha Tamihana (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Ranginui) @maimoa.creative

● Te Kahukura Boynton (Te Whakatōhea, Ngāti Kahungunu,Tūhoe) @maorimillionaire_

● Te Rawhitiroa Bosch (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa) @rawhitiroa

● Jordan Vaha’akolo (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Maniapoto) @theriver_jordan

● Raukura Huata (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou) @raukurahuata

Kaikōrero and TikTok influencer Paaka Davis has a collective following of over 500,000, and says his social media can be a place for a laugh, as well as a place to connect.

“Social media isn’t just about hashtags and cat videos. It’s also a place where inspiring stories are shared and communities are built,” Davis says.

“There are so many Māori creators in this space now who are paving the way on social media in their own ways.”

M9 will be reaching new audiences with its first show in Wellington.

“We’re excited to take M9 to Te Whanganui-a-Tara for the first time. Part of the M9 vision has always been to share this unparalleled experience with people all over Aotearoa,” says Hall.

The event runs from 7:30pm to 9:30pm at the St James Theatre. Tickets are limited and VIP tickets offer exclusive access to pre-show drinks. Purchase your tickets at www.m9aotearoa.co.nz

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