He 'was bor in Wellington, New Zealand, and has lived in both Agrigento, Sicily, and on the Kāpiti Coast. On his mother's side, Māui is of Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tūhoe and Cook Island (Tongareva) descent. On his father's side, he hails from Agrigento, Sicily and Veneto, Northern Italy. Māui has a wide range of interests that have led to such milestones as creating and hosting his first webside at age 11, exhibiting his photography on the Kāpiti Coast Art Trail at age 12, and receiving a Ngārimu VC and 28th Māori Battaion film award at 14. He enjoys creating music, performing kapa haka, and playing basketball and soccer. Māui is grateful for his whānau nurturning his language skills from a young age, with Italian being his first language, and English his second. He's now enjoying his te reo Māori journey, as well as exploring and growing his writing abilities.'
Biographical sources
- Ngā Kupu Wero. Ed. Witi Ihimaera. New Zealand: Penguin Random House New Zealand, 2023. 357.
Other
- Whakautu. Ngā Kupu Wero. Ed. Witi Ihimaera. New Zealand: Penguin Random House New Zealand, 2023. 342-343.
- Māui was in Year 11 at Hato Pāora College when this was published.