Aho Wānanga: Puoro me te Ao Pāpāho - Music and Screen

Rongotai Lomas is a multidisciplinary Māori artist and filmmaker whose work bridges traditional storytelling and contemporary creative technologies. Having directed and edited music videos for artists such as Che-Fu, House of Shem, Dam Native, and Upper Hutt Posse, and worked alongside leading filmmakers including Merata Mita, Geoff Murphy, and Heather Rae, Rongotai brings a deep understanding of both the artistic and cultural dimensions of screen storytelling. Holding a Master of Visual Arts, his practice, under Whare Te Ao – The House of Light, fuses fine arts, Māori culture, film, and digital innovation to create works that celebrate Māori identity and ignite new forms of creative expression.

If elected to the board of Ngā Aho Whakaari, Rongotai aims to contribute his experience in filmmaking, transmedia storytelling, and creative entrepreneurship to help advance opportunities for Māori storytellers in the screen sector. His vision is to support the next generation of Māori artists by fostering authentic representation, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and the integration of emerging technologies such as AI and animation into Māori storytelling traditions.

I am a proud Māori filmmaker, director–producer, and storyteller with more than two decades of experience leading large-scale productions across Aotearoa and the world. My work spans television, documentary, and digital storytelling — from local kaupapa-driven series to global franchises — and I have collaborated with every major production company in New Zealand, as well as international partners in the UK, UAE, and the United States.

As both a creative and an executive leader, I have navigated the complexities of cultural representation within mainstream and global markets. My experience has sharpened my understanding of the systemic gaps and cultural safeguards needed to better uphold mana Māori within the screen industry. I bring strong governance sensibilities, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to ensuring Māori voices are authentically represented and protected at every level of production — from concept to distribution.

Standing for election to the board of Ngā Aho Whakaari is an opportunity for me to contribute to the kaupapa by championing Māori creative autonomy, equitable pathways for emerging practitioners, and robust cultural frameworks that future-proof our stories and practitioners.

Mai i te moana ki te rangi, ki te wheiao, ki te ao marama. Tihei Mauri Ora!  

Ngā Aho Whakaari brings together a mix of passionate, talented, and occasionally chaotic Māori creatives — all driven by a shared belief in the power of our stories. The legacy of our hapori is why I return.  

Having served as both a Board Member and Executive Director, I understand the rhythm and reality of this kaupapa — the need for strong governance, fresh ideas, and plenty of good humour to keep things moving. I’m standing to help strengthen our representation across the wider screen industry, support emerging practitioners, and champion innovation that leads to economic and cultural impact.

Working independently through Table 1 Ltd, we have been advancing Te Kāpehu Auaha — a creative philosophy that applies Māori values to collaboration, innovation, and industry change. As a Film Bay of Plenty Board member and contributor to commissioning at RNZ and Whakaata Māori, I’m focused on strengthening Indigenous-led storytelling and connecting our hapori to new creative and global opportunities.

I’m keen to contribute where it counts: connecting strategy to action, creativity to sustainability, and ensuring Māori continue to set the tone — not just in the industry, but in how we imagine what’s next.

I am a freelance editor, field director, and a fluent speaker of te reo Māori, with more than 25 years of experience in the television industry. Over the course of my career, I have built extensive expertise across documentary, reality, children’s, and magazine-style genres. My editing credits include Police Ten 7 (TVNZ), Moving Out with Kanoa (Three), and numerous productions for Whakaata Māori. Recent projects include Ariki (Season 4) and Hīkina Te Manuka.

I currently serve as Vice President of the Directors and Editors Guild of Aotearoa New Zealand (DEGANZ), where I have been an active board member for the past four years, including the last two in the Vice President role. My motivation for joining the Ngā Aho Whakaari Board is to ensure that the post-production sector is well represented, and to advocate for the unique perspectives, challenges, and contributions of those working within this area of our industry.  

Beyond my screen work, I am deeply involved in kapa haka. Since 2005, I have served as stage manager for the Tāmaki Primary Schools Regionals, the Secondary Schools Māori Stage at ASB Polyfest, and the Te Ahurea Tino Rangatiratanga competitions. I am also currently Co-Event Manager for the Tāmaki Makaurau Senior Kapa Haka Society.