Otene Hopa

Te Aranga o Otene Kane Hopa, otherwise known as Otene, is of Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua and Waikato descent. He is passionate about helping people see the world through a te ao Māori lens and the value this perspective can bring.

In his role, Otene works in partnership with the Manukura leadership to deliver Māori cultural expertise, advice and guidance that supports the development of cultural capability across all business units. Additionally, he leads and guides PwC’s Māori engagement, including supporting the development of close connections with iwi, hapū, Māori focused entities and their communities across Aotearoa.  

Otene is a Tikanga advisor and is fluent in Te Reo Māori with experience facilitating team-building workshops, cultural intelligence training and public speaking nationally and abroad.

He has a professional background in education, having lectured at Te Wānanga o Awanuiārangi in the Bachelor of Māori Performing Arts degree, Nga Mana Whakairo a Toi, and career development, having worked for Careers New Zealand as a Careers Advisor in Whangarei. 

In 2016 Otene moved to London and became the Chairperson of Ngāti Rānana, the Māori Cultural Group based at New Zealand House. In his role as chair, Otene led cultural elements for memorial services for WW1 across the Western front with the High Commission. He also performed kapa haka with Ngati Rānana across the UK, Europe, America and South Africa.

Kapa Haka has been and continues to be a lifelong passion. Otene and his whanau are the kaiarahi of Hātea Kapa Haka and have represented Te Taitokerau at every Te Matatini festival since 2002. Otene is a composer and choreographer of actions and poi. He attributes his knowledge to his Kaiako, Muriwai and Venus Ihakara, David Tapene, Ngāpo and Pimia Wehi and of course, his mum Pauline.

Otene is currently a Future Director on the board of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa, looking after the assets of Ngāti Whātua ō Ōrākei.