Tena Koutou katoa,

Ko Taranaki toku maunga

Ko Whanganui toku awa

Ko Aotea toku waka

Ko Atihaunui a paparangi toku iwi

Ko Ruaka toku hapu

Ko Te Pou o Rongo toku Marae

Ko Damien Haami raua ko Wendy Terry oku matua

Ko Rico Ngaitkaura taku pepi

Ko Matehaere Hope Haami toku ingoa

 

My name is Matehaere Hope Hillary Haami, I come from Aotearoa, My mum is from Taranaki and my Dad is from Whanganui.

My river is Whanganui, My Mountain is Taranaki, my Iwi is Atihaunui-a-paparangi, my Land where my Marae sits is called Te Pou o Rongo which means the pillar of peace. Our Wharenui or meeting house, where we gather to sleep, hold meetings/teachings and spend time with our deceased is called Tumanako which means Hope.
 

Hope One is respected as one of the top female beatboxers in the world. Descending from the Te Ati Haunui-a-Pãpãrangi tribe and the Ngati Maniapoto tribe she is currently the only Maori female professional beatboxer. She began beatboxing as a teenager and made her stage debut in 2004. Her determination to master her craft has built her career as an independent, award-winning, artist.

In 2013 Hope joined Hot Brown Honey, which would change her life. Going from strength to strength as the show grew, spreading the message of “decolonise and moisturise” throughout the world, winning awards and changing lives. Hope has learnt so much from 6 years of touring with Hot Brown Honey and learning the ropes of intersectional feminist theatre.