Kiwiroa grew up in the vibrant, South Auckland town of Papakura. Even before she hit her teens the seed to move to the UK had been planted by her aunt whisking her cousins (and playmates) off to the UK with their Yorkshire-born dad. It was there and then that Kiwiroa made a promise to herself that she too, would move there one day. In August 1991 she fulfilled that promise, moving here to travel and see Europe like so many of us do. Thirty- something years later, and she’s still here!
Kiwiroa’s involvement with the creative industry is varied. As a long-term member of Ngāti Rānana she has been involved in performance arts since her arrival in the UK, and back in Aotearoa, was a member of Timoti Karetu’s group Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato whilst at Uni.
She currently sits on the board of FANZA, and with that hat on, Kiwiroa helped launch the ANZ Film Festival in partnership with London Australia Film Society, starting with a one-day affair in 2025. That was followed earlier this year with a full weekend of Kiwi and Aussie films and short documentaries. It was during the time of that first event in 2025 that Kiwiroa had a passing conversation with Shelley Hasseldine (another of our co-founders) where they both commented on the lack of a community group specifically for Kiwis in the creative industries. That initial conversation, and the two of them connecting with other like-minded people (the rest of our co-founders), led to the formation of the Creative Kiwi Collective.
“I want to create a meaningful hāpori, (community), a place we can help support, connect and promote people who not only live here in the UK, but ensure there’s a solid platform for those visiting from back in Aotearoa.”
Kiwiroa’s work with the British Council has led her to becoming more involved in the Arts and Culture world, albeit not through her daytime role (which is in accountancy and finance transformation programmes). She played a prominent ceremonial role in the gifting of the Maggie Papakura pouihi to the British Council (on behalf of the British people), helped coordinate the Māori ceremonies and performances to open the Tiaki Ora exhibition at the Sainsbury Research Centre, and through both the British Council and her FANZA roles, has also been involved with and attended other events (mainly arts, film and live performances).
Currently she is running Te Reo courses for people living in the UK and Europe. (FYI there’s still time to sign up for her next courses starting in May). She says “… Te Reo classes being available to Kiwi’s across the UK and Europe has never been done in this exact way
before, so that’s something I’m really proud of! It’s only in its infancy stage right now, but there’s more coming.” From what we understand Kiwiroa will then be adding an annual film programme, so that Māori films will be running throughout the year at significant times like Matariki, Te Wiki o te reo Māori. We’ll be sure to update you on those events as and when they come up. Watch this space.
Being part of a vibrant, exciting community like ours, gives Kiwiroa the much-needed creative outlet she thrives on. She loves supporting our Kiwi talent, promoting and attending exhibitions, live performances etc. and is constantly amazed by the plethora of talented Kiwi’s creating extraordinary stuff right here in the UK. Through the CKC, Kiwiroa says “I want to create a meaningful hāpori, (community), a place we can help support, connect and promote people who not only live here in the UK, but ensure there’s a solid platform for those visiting from back in Aotearoa.”
Kiwiroa truly understands what many of us miss from back home a well-known family and community, “I miss being closer, more connected to my whānau, hearing te reo spoken every day and having easy access to kaupapa Māori, however, what I don’t miss is the
limited transport system, you need a car to get everywhere unlike here.” She also understands that no matter how much effort you put in, things don’t always go to plan, and when you are far from whanau and community that’s not always easy. Her way of dealing
with those moments is to take time out and stand on her balcony, stare at the trees while she thinks things through, usually with a mug of tea or coffee (or maybe something a little stronger) in her hand. It’s about taking time to reflect, to meditate and sometimes even talk it through with someone that can offer useful help and advice.
Reflecting on her time here in the UK, on the journey from those early days back in Papakura when she saw her aunt fly out, to where she is now, Kiwiroa is glad she made it to the UK, as there were definitely times when it hadn’t seemed possible at all. “That young kid
would be proud of me having made it in the first place. She’d not be surprised that I’m still here but, I do think she’d be somewhat surprised that I’m getting more involved in the arts and creative world.” We’re not surprised at all, we think it’s exactly where Kiwiroa belongs and deserves to be.
