In the TVNZ series Waka Man, former reality TV star Alby Waititi paddles around Aotearoa exploring waka culture past and present.
Alby Waititi in Waka Man Photo: Alby Waititi / Facebook
The cast of 'The GC', Series 2 Photo: Māori Television
Between 2012 and 2015, Alby appeared on three seasons of the Māori Television series The GC, which followed the lives of a group of young Māori living on the Gold Coast.
Although it was a good experience, he says that show didn't tap into who he really is – an introverted, spiritual guy who loves waka ama (outrigger canoeing) and is deeply involved with mentoring traumatised youth.
When Alby was 14, he and his family moved from Kawerau to Brisbane, where the dragon boating and waka ama scenes are both "massive", he says.
Waka culture is embedded in the cells of Māori, Alby says, and being on the water clears his mind and brings him peace.
Photo: RNZ / Aaron Smale
Filming Waka Man pushed him outside of his comfort zone and was both a challenge and a blessing, he says.
He hopes the show will help revitalise both traditional Māori navigation and te reo.
Connecting to their Māori roots would help Australia-based rangatahi (youth) get off the streets and off the devices, he says.
"[Cultural connection] gives you a sense of mana."
Listen to Alby Waititi on NIne to Noon