Tihi Puanaki's name - which means "pinnacle" in Maori - is fitting, as she is considered one of the top kapa haka instructors in the country. She has been involved in kapa haka for about 40 years and has recieved the Pride of NZ's Lifetime Achievement award. Mrs Puanaki is the founding member of Te Kotahitanga, the South Island's longest-running kapa haka group.
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