Wharepākau (Whare) Ākuhata

Ngāti Awa

1957 -



Whare Ākuhata was born in Murupara and educated at St Stephen’s School, Bombay. He studied various Māori papers at Auckland University and sat the professional exams with the New Zealand Institute of Valuers. He is an Associate of the New Zealand Institute of Valuers and is currently a Valuer. Since its inception in February 1992, Whare has been Manager/Co-editor of Pū Kāea newspaper, and is currently Managing Editor of the newspaper. He writes poetry and non-fiction articles and is also very involved in photography. He has exhibited in group exhibitions in Te Taumata Gallery, Auckland, in 1994 and in Whakatane in 1995.

Biographical sources

  • Correspondence and phone conversation with Whare Ākuhata on 11 June 1993, 25 Jan. and 13 May 1996, and 7 May 1998.

    Non-fiction

  • “Whanau Celebrations.” Whare. Pū Kāea: Te Reo Panui O Te Waka O Mataatua 7 (Whiri-nga-a-Rangi [November], 1994): 18-19.
  • An anecdotal description of Åkuhata’s visit to Motiti Island for the unveiling of his grandmother’s headstone.
  • Poetry

  • “Haere.” Wharepākau. Pū Kāea: Te Reo Panui O Te Waka Mataatua 1 (Pou-Tu-Te-Rangi [March], 1992): 23. Rpt. in Pu Kaea: Te Reo Panui O Te Waka Mataatua 14 (Haratua [May] 1993): 18.
  • The voice of the human spirit making its final journey north to Cape Reinga where the ‘ancient pohutakawa’ meets the sea.
  • “The Pink Room.” Pū Kāea: Te Reo Panui o Te Waka Mataatua 14 (Haratua [May] 1993): 18.
  • The speaker muses on ‘life, love and colours’ as he sits in the pink room gazing out at the oak tree.
  • “Change.” Pū Kåea: Te Reo Panui o Te Waka Mataatua 14 (Haratua [May] 1993): .
  • A brief reflection on a visionary man who espouses change but remains unchanged.
  • “Boy.” Pū Kāea: Te Reo Panui o Te Waka Mataatua 14 (Haratua [May] 1993): 18.
  • In this poem the speaker articulates the changing relationship with Boy.
  • “Again.” Pū Kāea: Te Reo Panui o Te Waka Mataatua 14 (Haratua [May] 1993): 18.
  • The speaker reflects on a failed love affair.
  • “The Party.” Pū Kāea: Te Reo Panui o Te Waka Mataatua 14 (Haratua [May] 1993): 18.
  • A description of the depersonalized world of a party.