With Matariki just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to highlight some Māori creators who are absolutely smashing it on TikTok.
They’re using the app to spark kōrero and bring te ao Māori to life in ways that feel fresh, funny, and are actually relatable.
These legends aren’t just racking up the views - they’re weaving reo, kai, tikanga, and whakapapa into everything they do, helping us all reconnect (or connect for the first time) with te ao Māori.
Here are a few creators worth chucking a follow:
Turanga Morgan-Edmonds | @tu_edmonds
Tu’s based in Tāmaki Makaurau, and honestly, his content hits deep. He shares his moko journey and dives into identity and reclaiming his Māori heritage in a way that’s raw and real. One of his biggest vids in his Moko Journey with Tu Edmonds: Reclaiming Identity.
Paris Nuku | @parisnuku
From the Bay of Plenty, Paris serves up Māori, Samoan and Tokelauan recipes with modern twists. Her vids are full of laughs, whānau, and food that'll have you hungry just looking at it. You HAVE to see her fried bread - I’m already drooling over it.
Benny Meredith | @benny_meredith
A freediving instructor in Te Tai Tokerau, Benny shares beautiful content about gathering kai moana like kina and uplifting wāhine around the moana. Her video getting her Aussie mate to try kina straight from the shell is too good!
“You eat those things?” The mate asks after gulping it down and grimacing.
Aroha Tamihana | @maimoa.creative
Maimoa is a Māori-owned design studio based in the Waikato and is all about making te reo feel easy and accessible online. From pronunciation tips to behind-the-scenes stuff, it’s the kind of videos that make learning the reo feel way less scary and way more fun.
Natalia Metua | @nataliametua
Natalia teaches te reo Māori in a fun, family-friendly way. From vocab vids to language games, she’s worth following if you’re wanting to include more Te Reo in your everyday conversations.
Coralie | @fromaustonz
Originally from Aussie, Coralie’s now based in Aotearoa and sharing her journey reconnecting with Māori culture and her identity.
Whether you’re brushing up on your reo or just keen for content that’s equally as educational as entertaining, these peeps are worth the watch!
If you wanna know other ways to celebrate this Matariki, check out all the free events around the motu here!
