Raimona Peni
The first series of TŌKU REO was Raimona Peni's first major role on television and he was thrilled to return to the show for a second season.
Between series of TŌKU REO, Raimona worked on the writing team for Kura Productions' third series of Pukoro.
He also currently teaches kapa haka at Remuera Intermediate School and runs Maori lessons both privately and at UNITEC New Zealand. His teaching background and fluency in te reo Maori are vital to his role on TŌKU REO.
In 2007, Raimona worked on the television reality series The Amazing Race, as the person to welcome international contestants in both Maori and English. He also worked as a Maori consultant on Kai Time on the Road the previous year.
A jack of all trades, Raimona has been a sales representative for Rip Curl, a tomato picker, forklift driver, scaffolder, employer, sales manager for Te Puia and managing director of Te Manu Kaewa Cultural Group in Rotorua.
Involved in a number of stage productions, Maori and martial arts, acting, music and dance, Raimona brings a decade of performance and performance management experience to TŌKU REO.
Ultimately, he would like to continue his television career and continue motivating others to learn te reo Maori.
Raukura Huata
In addition to TŌKU REO, Raukura Huata is currently studying a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Auckland and works as an advertising account manager for Mai FM.
Raukura first worked as a production assistant/researcher for the series Arero in 2004. For a few months she also produced Mana Wahine documentaries at Radio Waatea.
Arero producer Kim Webby was impressed with Raukura’s hard-working nature and invited her to work as a translator on theMarae DIY series.
In 2007, Raukura went on to do a second series ofMarae DIY
and worked as a Māori translator for Kiwa Productions’ Kaitiaki.
It was that same year Raukura landed her current job at Mai FM. She also spent some time transcribing and translating for the show Lost in Translation and a second season of Kaitiaki.
Raukura’s extensive television credits, work experience and Māori language abilities have been invaluable.
