Huhana Watene

Huhana Watene is the national president Māori of the NZ Tertiary Education Union and an advocate for inclusiveness within cultural events. She has expressed concerns regarding the recent decision to move the Māori stage at Polyfest, questioning whether such changes might lead to division rather than unity among cultures. With a background in kapa haka, Watene emphasizes the importance of retaining the festival's original intent of sharing and engaging diverse cultural performances.