Ngāti Ruanui, Ngā Rauru, Ngāti Apa, Ngāti Kahungunu
Kingi Kiriona is an orator, a kapahaka exponent, composer, educator, and broadcaster. He is currently a Director of Whakaata Māori (formerly Māori Television), and founder of TupuOra Education and Development Ltd, which supports building Māori capability for iwi and public sector agencies.
Kingi has held a number of senior leadership and governance roles across both the public and private sectors. In 2023, Kingi was appointed Deputy Chief Executive, Mātauranga Māori at Te Aka Whai Ora, the Māori Health Authority. His role was predicated on promoting hauora Māori solutions based on te reo Māori and tikanga Māori.
His passion for te reo Māori has driven Kingi to realise opportunities for Māori language and capability development across multiple sectors, namely broadcasting, infrastructure, education, health and justice.
Kingi is also a prolific songwriter who has created pieces based on social issues and Māori history. He has produced close to 100 waiata and haka. Some of his pieces have been used as a learning resource for children in schools throughout Aotearoa.