Dr Hinurewa Poutu joined Whakaata Māori as Kaikōkiri Reo in January 2019.

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Born and raised in Palmerston North, Dr Poutu was educated through Māori medium education starting with kōhanga reo, kura kaupapa Māori and wharekura.  

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A qualified translator and experienced teacher, Dr Poutu has previously served as a Māori Language Commissioner with Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (Māori Language Commission).  A former television presenter, she has also been a panel member of Te Ranga Kaupapa Ture and The Constitutional Advisory Panel. She is a director of The Vodafone New Zealand Foundation Charitable Trust.

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Dr Poutu is a graduate of Te Panekiretanga o te Reo (Institute of Excellence in the Māori Language). She holds a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Education from Massey University, graduating in 2015. Her thesis titled Kia Tiori nga Pipi: Ma te aha e korero Maori ai nga taitamariki o nga wharekura o Te Aho Matua? researched the role of youth in wharekura, Māori medium secondary schools, as part of the Māori language revival.

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Dr Poutu’s research is among the first that focuses on the new generation of Māori language speakers.

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