Kia ora! My name is Nathan Bryant-Taukiri, Chief Executive / Toihau at Rea.

Growing up in Ōtautahi/Christchurch, like so many Māori, I was not brought up in an environment where my Māori lineage was encouraged. My father and his siblings had no connection with Te Ao Māori, so that legacy continued. I learned to lean into the success system that did exist – one defined by Pākehā values and measures. Until recently though, this has been at the expense of my Taha Māori, my true identity. Thankfully all of that has changed for the good.

Through Rea, my mission is to enable all rangatahi to access pathways that are enriched with the best of both worlds – to be daily practitioners of the wisdom and beauty of Te Ao Māori, while being adept at thriving in a rapidly changing, technology-centric world. To be the best version of themselves; proud of who they are and where they come from. Rea achieves this in the fastest way possible, equipping rangatahi to be masters of their present and future, setting them on a well-paid path with unlimited options.

To me the whakatauki written by Sir Apirana Ngāta in 1949 still captures the right future well:

E tipu e rea mo ngā rā o tō ao

Ko tō ringa ki ngā rākau ā te Pākehā Hei ara mō tō tinana

Ko tō ngākau ki ngā tāonga a ō tīpuna Māori

Hei tikitiki mō tō māhuna

Ko tō wairua ki tō Atua, Nānā nei ngā mea katoa

Grow up and thrive for the days destined to you.

Your hands to the tools of the Pākehā to provide physical sustenance,

Your heart to the treasures of your Māori ancestors as a diadem for your brow,

Your soul to your God, to whom all things belong.

We look forward to being the kaitiaki of a prosperous new path for your tamariki.

Ngāa manaakitanga,

Nathan Bryant-Taukiri

Chief Executive / Toihau