Oriini Kaipara is a bilingual journalist whose career in the television broadcast industry spans nearly two decades.
Renowned for her ability to converse fluently in Māori and English, Oriini is well-respected for her empathetic yet fearless approach to issues of significance to Māori that help shape a positive bicultural New Zealand society. The NewsHub Live at 11:30am and 4:30pm host has spent her life committed to the revitalisation of te reo, and Māori customs.
Of Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Rangitihi and Ngāi Tūhoe descent, Oriini attended total te reo immersion schools, from a Kōhanga Reo founded by her grandparents, through to primary and secondary schools which were a part of the Te Aho Matua movement (including Te Wharekura o Hoani Waititi Marae, the first total immersion school to be established in the country). The mum-of-four has raised her own children through a similar total immersion path, and instills in them her values and beliefs around their Māori identity.
Oriini had always dreamed of being a news anchor on mainstream TV; she went on to graduate with a NZ diploma in film and television production from South Seas Film and Television School; and was formally trained for on-screen presenting by industry stalwarts Brian Edwards, Tini Molyneux, Maramena Roderick. She is currently mentored by Miriama Kamo.
Oriini is used to breaking stories and creating global headlines - firstly in 2017 when she was publicly DNA-tested to reveal her bloodline was 100 per cent Māori. In 2018, her interview with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern about her newborn child learning te reo Māori was picked up by The Guardian (UK) and The New York Times.
In 2021, Oriini became the first woman in the world with a moko kauae (a traditional chin tattoo worn by Māori women), to anchor a Christmas Day 6pm broadcast, which caused a flurry of media interest around the globe. For Oriini, this was the fulfilment of a lifelong dream, signalling a commitment to her whakapapa, iwi, marae and language.
Her stellar career in the media has won her several awards (including winner of the best female television presenter at the Māori Media Awards in both 2007 and 2008; and winner of the Māori affairs reporter, Voyager Media Awards in 2018); and dozens of nominations for her reporting work.
Oriini has extensive experience as an MC and has hosted events including the Māori Music Awards; The Power of Inclusion, and the Whānau Ora Summit.
As a voice artist, Oriini can be forthright and factual, but still warm and engaging, giving her a vocal range suitable for a wide variation of work. Campaigns she has worked on include apps made by KIWA Digital for Fonterra, the Horizons Regional Council, Te Māngai Pāho, and the first dual-language e-Book series, The Ana.
In her spare time Oriini enjoys the outdoors and travelling. She loves her Māori kai as well as Asian fusion. She is passionate about kapa haka and has performed competitively since she was a teenager. But above all, Oriini loves to spend time with her tamariki, her whānau and close friends.
Oriini Kaipara is a bilingual journalist whose career in the television broadcast industry spans nearly two decades.
Renowned for her ability to converse fluently in Māori and English, Oriini is well-respected for her empathetic yet fearless approach to issues of significance to Māori that help shape a positive bicultural New Zealand society. The NewsHub Live at 11:30am and 4:30pm host has spent her life committed to the revitalisation of te reo, and Māori customs.
Of Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Rangitihi and Ngāi Tūhoe descent, Oriini attended total te reo immersion schools, from a Kōhanga Reo founded by her grandparents, through to primary and secondary schools which were a part of the Te Aho Matua movement (including Te Wharekura o Hoani Waititi Marae, the first total immersion school to be established in the country). The mum-of-four has raised her own children through a similar total immersion path, and instills in them her values and beliefs around their Māori identity.
Oriini had always dreamed of being a news anchor on mainstream TV; she went on to graduate with a NZ diploma in film and television production from South Seas Film and Television School; and was formally trained for on-screen presenting by industry stalwarts Brian Edwards, Tini Molyneux, Maramena Roderick. She is currently mentored by Miriama Kamo.
Oriini is used to breaking stories and creating global headlines - firstly in 2017 when she was publicly DNA-tested to reveal her bloodline was 100 per cent Māori. In 2018, her interview with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern about her newborn child learning te reo Māori was picked up by The Guardian (UK) and The New York Times.
In 2021, Oriini became the first woman in the world with a moko kauae (a traditional chin tattoo worn by Māori women), to anchor a Christmas Day 6pm broadcast, which caused a flurry of media interest around the globe. For Oriini, this was the fulfilment of a lifelong dream, signalling a commitment to her whakapapa, iwi, marae and language.
Her stellar career in the media has won her several awards (including winner of the best female television presenter at the Māori Media Awards in both 2007 and 2008; and winner of the Māori affairs reporter, Voyager Media Awards in 2018); and dozens of nominations for her reporting work.
Oriini has extensive experience as an MC and has hosted events including the Māori Music Awards; The Power of Inclusion, and the Whānau Ora Summit.
As a voice artist, Oriini can be forthright and factual, but still warm and engaging, giving her a vocal range suitable for a wide variation of work. Campaigns she has worked on include apps made by KIWA Digital for Fonterra, the Horizons Regional Council, Te Māngai Pāho, and the first dual-language e-Book series, The Ana.
In her spare time Oriini enjoys the outdoors and travelling. She loves her Māori kai as well as Asian fusion. She is passionate about kapa haka and has performed competitively since she was a teenager. But above all, Oriini loves to spend time with her tamariki, her whānau and close friends.
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