Charisma Rangipunga was "raised in Australia, this dynamic young woman of Ngāi Tahu, Taranaki and Ngāti Kahungunu heritage returned to New Zealand at age 11, with her mother, Linda." Rangipunga is currently General Manager of ‘Te Taumatua’ at Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu which "encourages the use of te reo Māori from one generation to the next."
"Charima is a published writer and co-author of twenty adult and children’s books including: ‘Kupu’, an anthology of Māori poetry; ‘Kura Kaumatua; and He Hokika Mahara: Recalling the Memories’, a collection of memoirs honoring Canterbury kaumatua. Her other hidden talents include song composition creating works for her tribe in both contemporary and traditional styles. When Charisma and husband Lewis aren’t busy with their three sons, one of her favorite past times is filling in as backseat kapa haka judges.""
Biographical sources
- https://nz.usembassy.gov/wahine-toa-charisma-rangipunga/ 8 December 2016