Mickela Mallozi: I'm a dancer and I'm a traveler.

And wherever I go, I experience the world one dance at a time.

I'm Mickela Mallozi, and this is "Bare Feet."

♪ "Bare Feet" is supported in part by... Announcer: Bloomberg Connects gives you a way to experience the arts from your mobile phone.

You can explore hundreds of cultural organizations from around the world, anytime, anywhere.

Learn more at bloombergconnects.org or wherever you find your apps.

Announcer: Additional funding was provided by Koo and Patricia Yuen through the Yuen Foundation, committed to bridging cultural differences in our communities.

Announcer: And by the Ann H. Symington Foundation.

Mickela: Kia ora!

Welcome to Tamaki Makaurau Aotearoa, named by the indigenous Maori people as "the place that is desired by many."

You may know this city as Auckland, New Zealand.

I'm here to celebrate Matariki, the marking of the new year in the Maori lunar calendar.

And to fully understand the significance of this celebration, I'm getting a deep dive into the Maori culture first, here in Aotearoa.

Tamaki Makaurau, or Auckland, is a major city located on the North Island of New Zealand, surrounded by three harbors.

My hosts for my time here in Aotearoa are the Maori people, New Zealand's indigenous people, who are deeply connected to the land, referred to as "tangata whenua," or "the people of the land."

They are considered the "kaitiaki," or the guardians of this land.

My kaitiaki for this entire "Bare Feet" adventure in Aotearoa is Dane Tumahai.

Gentle in spirit, yet fierce in his love, and care, and representation for his people.

He is seventh generation direct descendant of the Ngati Whatua chief, Apihai Te Kawau, who gifted land to the British in 1840 to establish Auckland City.

Dane Tumahai is a "pou," a guide for his "iwi," his tribe, Ngati Whatua Orakei, an iwi of great significance in Auckland's history and present.

Dane Tumahai: What you'll experience today is our traditional Powhiri, a welcoming ceremony.

I'll assemble with you at our "waharoa," our gateway.

You'll have a challenge to see, are you coming as friends or are you coming as foes?

Men: [Speaking Maori] Dane: Once the home people determine that we are coming in peace, we are able to cross that threshold and then be welcomed into the house.

People: [Shouting in Maori] Dane: We'll go into our beautiful meeting house.

There'll be an exchange of greetings.

Woman: [Speaking Maori] Mickela: And then there's a song we're going to sing.

Dane: Yes, and that song is "Te Aroha."

Mickela: Te Aroha.

And "Aroha" is love.

Dane: Yes.

People: [Singing in Maori] ♪ Dane: You may not understand the words, but you're coming with pure intention, with open hearts and minds to receive our ancestors, to be part of this blessing this morning.

People: [Singing in Maori] ♪ Dane: And then the "hongi" and "hariru," we can demonstrate that by you placing your hand looking towards me.

The pressing of our noses, the sharing of the breath of life.

And then once we conclude that, then we'll move over and we'll share some food together.

People: [Singing in Maori] Mickela: Mm.

Mm, mm.

This is beautiful.

Oh my gosh, it's so beautiful.

Dane: I've been privileged living here to be mentored by both my mom and my dad.

So my mom was very conscious about whatever food she had available.

It was always done to the best of the... of the tribe's ability to host people.

It's all about that value to be hospitable, not just when you welcome people, but when you feed the people.

People: [Singing in Maori] Mickela: I love that we're sitting here and you can see, just looking out the window, every aspect of what this land represents.

You have the city in the background, you have the bay, you have the mountains.

Everywhere you turn, it's absolutely stunning.

It's really beautiful.

Just across from the Marae, I meet with Tarumai, one of the singers from our Haka Powhiri ceremony, who is giving me a lesson on "te reo maori," or the Maori language, along with its powerful presentation through the haka.

Tarumai Kenehoma: [Speaking Maori] Mickela: What does the word "haka" mean when it's translated?

Tarumai: Well, "ha" is breathe and "ka" is to ignite, so it's igniting passion within.

With the Haka Powhiri, it's a sign of strength, so together we are strong.

Mickela: There were movements when I saw everyone's hands moving.

What is that called?

Tarumai: It's a "wiri."

Mickela: Wiri.

Tarumai: Yeah.

So on a real hot, hot day, you look out and you can see the wiri.

You see like a mirage.

And it's like that.

So we reflect that in our culture.

And it just means to be alive.

[Speaking Maori] Mickela: What's happening with your eyes?

Tarumai: Oh, so that's the "pukana" to us.

It's the windows to the soul.

It's the windows to our spirit.

If you just open your eyes.

Yeah.

And then you find a proper, like not too much down, but as long as your eyes and eyebrows are up, and you're... Yep.

And then our mouth just does like a... Mickela: Yeah.

Tarumai: Yeah.

That's it!

Mickela: Is that it?

Tarumai: Yeah.

Yes.

Just don't smile.

Both: [Laughing] Tarumai: So we're going to learn "toia mai."

Mickela: Toia mai.

Tarumai: Yeah.

Tarumai: And its meaning is just pulling a "waka".

Mickela: And a waka is?

It's a "waka nei."

Both: [Speaking Maori] Tarumai: [Cheers] Mickela: Oh my gosh.

Tarumai: Awesome.

Mickela: All right.

Tarumai: And it is important to breathe.

Mickela: I know!

Oh my God, my breath is tugging through.

I need to find my haka voice.

Tarumai: Yes.

Mickela: Yeah.

Tarumai: When I'm yelling at my kids, I've got a certain voice.

Well, that's your haka voice.

Mickela: Ok.

Tarumai: So we go... Toia mai, te waka!

Mickela: Te waka!

Tarumai: Yes.

You feel it... Mickela: I feel it in there.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Tarumai: Really, just... Mickela: 'Cause we're pulling that waka out.

Tarumai: Yeah, we are.

Our actions are this though, but that's kind of the imagery, yeah, you know, when you're pulling people.

Because we refer to people as "waka" too, because they're vessels.

Both: [Speaking Maori] Tarumai: We don't have a language, and we have no culture, and we have no customs, and ceremonies, and protocols.

Without language, you have no identity.

Both: [Speaking Maori] Mickela: You're so calm and always so very soft spoken.

And then when that haka comes out, when that spirit comes out of you, it is so powerful.

Tarumai: Haka allows us to transform into our ancestors.

Mickela: Yeah.

You have that Maori power.

Tarumai: "Mana wahine."

Mickela: Mana wahine.

What is "wahine?"

Tarumai: Wahine is woman.

Both: [Speaking Maori] Tarumai: That's it.

Mickela: Is that it?

Tarumai: Yeah, well, mana.

Prestige and regal.

Mickela: My dignity, right?

Tarumai: Right.

Mickela: I've learned one main phrase since I've been here very briefly, is "kia ora."

Tarumai: Kia ora.

Mickela: Yeah.

Tarumai: I can mean "thank you."

It means to be well.

It's thriving.

It's... yeah.

So, kia ora.

Mickela: Kia ora.

I meet back up with Dane and he takes me to downtown Tamaki Makaurau to the campus of Auckland City University.

Dane: I'm really excited to introduce you to "whanaunga," my cousin.

His name is Katera, but he's more famously known as "Katz."

Mickela: Katz empowers his community and upholds these Maori treasures of telling stories through traditional wood carvings and the art of "moko," or tattoos.

Katz: This place is where we placed one of my carvings.

It talks about the connection between the university and my people, the Ngati Whatua.

It also talks about the sharing of knowledge.

Mickela: Can you tell me what it's made of?

Because it's this dark, deep black.

Katz: Yeah, so it's actually a piece of kauri, a traditional native timber here in New Zealand.

The eyes, we always use what we call "paua," which is abalone shell, 'cause it makes it look like they're alive.

Mickela: Yeah, it does.

We're in a very busy intersection right there.

It just shows the impact of having your piece so that the city has access to this.

Katz: Even though there's ever-changing landscape, like these big buildings, we always get an opportunity to put something in there just to remind them that we have not gone anywhere.

We're still here.

Mickela: You're a carver, but you're also a tattoo artist.

Katz: Yes, I am.

Yes.

Mickela: The tattoo.

Did you design this yourself?

Katz: No.

In our process, we allow the artist total control over what it's going to look like.

Mickela: So you have no idea what it will look like?

Katz: It's not like a tattoo shop, where you go in and you, "Oh, I want this daisy, or this eagle."

You just walk in and go, "Here's my story, this is it, boom, boom, boom."

And he sits there, translates... translates that conversation into the design.

Mickela: What does it represent for you to see the next generation having these moko on their face?

Katz: I think it's awesome, you know?

I grew up and there was no one with it in our tribe.

So to see the, you know, the resurgence of it, to come back amongst our people is massive.

Because I didn't believe, although I was carving and tattooing, I didn't believe I was of the right caliber.

Then I realized, actually, I lead my people, I lead my... my art forms.

This is my job, my world, my whole world.

Everything about it is there, so that's why I went there.

I've been drawing since I was a kid.

And in doing so, I've been able to represent my iwi, my tribe, my people.

There was times where we could have lost all of this information.

Mickela: Of course.

Katz: Like, you know, I'm using an iPad right now.

Technology has changed things.

But if we don't maintain the traditional stuff, we're just going to be in museums.

Mickela: Yeah.

Katz let me share my own story with him of my adventures creating and filming "Bare Feet" as a blueprint for one of his designs.

Katz: Whenever we sort of start drawing, I always consider the person, the conversation we've had.

So I'm thinking about all the connections that you've had through your time doing this "mahi," or this work you're doing.

You know, the meeting of people, the relationships you've built.

So what I'm currently doing now is just all of these little, what we call "pitau," or the little fern fronds, uh, the little growth parts that have happened during that time.

And they're all the friendships and the relationships that you've made.

I like to use the designs that come from my people, because for me they mean a lot.

And I get to share a bit of me with the people as well.

Mickela: Yeah.

Katz, this is gorgeous.

Katz: Thank you.

Mickela: Yeah.

Thank you.

Kia ora.

Katz: The first section we always come up with is what we call the "manawa," the clear space in the middle, the central being of yourself.

That is the hammerhead shark.

So for the Maori, when we talk about hammerhead sharks, we're talking about how, when you catch a hammerhead shark, it doesn't give up easily.

It fights right to the end.

Mickela: Yeah.

Katz: So this one, for me, that's what you're doing with your work.

The designs on the side, the little intricate patterns, those are what we call "niho taniwha," which are the dragon's teeth or the shark's teeth.

And that's a reference to courage.

That's a reference to strength and grit.

That "grr," you know?

Mickela: I am getting very emotional because... Katz: You're welcome.

Thank you.

Mickela: You've captured all of it really profoundly, especially, like, the hammerhead of not giving up.

It's been a journey.

Katz: I sense that.

I sense that in you.

That's the role I play in my mahi, to take those conversations, to rearrange them in the visual language of my people.

And I guess that's probably why it's become so emotional, the way our culture works.

It pulls everything back together.

It simplifies everything.

Mickela: Thank you.

Another pou or pillar in the Maori community is young entrepreneur Georgia Latu.

At only 12 years old, she founded Potiki Poi with her mother, Anna.

And since then, her company has become the largest poi manufacturer in the world.

What is poi?

Georgia: If you look it up, it says it's a ball on the end of a string, but it is much more than that.

It's an extension of who I am as a young indigenous person.

Our ancestors, they used poi to strengthen their wrists before going out into battle.

But in today's age, I think poi is just something to connect people to culture.

Mickela: Potiki Poi are manufactured in an environmentally sustainable way, made only of recycled and upcycled materials.

This has been a priority for Georgia from the very beginning.

Georgia: [Singing in Maori] So these are the parts of your poi.

You have upoko, taura, hukahuka.

And huka in te reo maori means "sugar," and so we call it "the sugar sugar," the sweet stuff at the end of your poi.

Mickela: Cute!

Georgia: And then we have our final part, which is called "aho."

Fold three fingers in like that, and then you just want to punch this taura like that.

Perfect.

And then give it a swing.

Mickela: Tell us a little bit about your business.

Georgia: Potiki Poi, essentially what it is, it's the largest poi manufacturing company in New Zealand and the world.

"Potiki," means "youngest child," and my baby brother Api was born with Down syndrome.

And then it's also the last name of my ancestor, Tahu Potiki.

Our first move is called "poi kia mau."

And it's just this.

So you just bring up your poi and catch it.

Cool.

Toa poi ki roto.

Mickela: "Ki roto" is "inside."

Georgia: And toa poi ki waho.

Mickela: Ki waho, outside.

Georgia: And we're going to make a rainbow with our poi.

Tahi, rua, toru.

[Singing in Maori] ♪ Mickela: Oh!

Both: [Scream] Georgia: One of the biggest highlights, I think, throughout my five years of being in this business world was actually the Women's Rugby World Cup back in 2022.

In New Zealand, rugby is a big part of our culture.

We've never seen poi used to support players.

And I've seen thousands of poi in that stadium.

It was a proud moment.

Both: [Singing in Maori] Georgia: I've realized that it's not just poi, but there's so much more, and there's so many treasures that need to be uplifted and revitalized along with our people.

And so for me, it's getting as many people on this waka and to make as much change as we can.

Mickela: I love that you say "get on the waka."

That's the canoe, right?

You're literally saying "get on the canoe," but it's almost like getting on board.

Mickela: Yeah, everyone on this waka of change.

Everyone needs to be on it.

Everyone needs to be paddling, because, at the end of the day, we know where we need to go, and this is for our generations to come.

[Singing in Maori] Georgia: Hey!

Mickela: Hey!

Georgia: Pretty good, pretty good.

Mickela: High five.

Next stop takes me to the All Blacks experience in downtown Auckland, home to New Zealand's national rugby teams, the All Blacks for the men, and the Black Ferns for the women.

I meet with Ces, my official guide here, and as it turns out, my personal coach as well, as I learn what it takes to be a member of these legendary rugby teams.

Cecil Potatau: Let's give it a go.

Here we go.

Oh, you're getting there.

That was good.

No, you're getting there.

Mickela: I'm a little out of my element here, practicing sport rather than dance.

Cecil: Oh!

Okay, here we go, grab it again.

Here we go.

Mickela: Here we go.

Cecil: You've got it.

Boom shakalaka!

Mickela: Oh, yes!

Cecil: You nailed it.

Mickela: I think I should start playing rugby.

Cecil: Here we go, on my tiptoes.

Just like the real thing, you get your shirt in the locker room.

Mickela: My name and my number, that's amazing.

Cecil: Correct.

There you go, wear it with pride.

Mickela: And it's the Black Ferns.

Cecil: And the Black Ferns are our most famous rugby team here in New Zealand.

It's our women's team.

Mickela: The women's team, yes.

The world knows about haka because of the All Blacks, because of sport.

What does that mean for you, to see part of this culture go through sport?

Cecil: Well, I'm Maori myself.

And being Maori, I'm proud.

You know, having the haka being world famous, it's a part of me that's been showcased as well.

Mickela: Was haka always done with the All Blacks?

Cecil: Mm.

Since 1888, a very long time ago.

Mickela: Wow.

Cecil: There was a gentleman called Buck Shalford, and he is a legend of the game.

He was a former Maori All Black captain.

He decided he wanted to give it more respect.

So he installed this mana, being proud, understanding the meaning of the haka.

And as you watch the haka today, it's extraordinary, both men and the ladies team.

Mickela: Yeah.

Audience: [Cheering] Woman: [Speaking Maori] ♪ ♪ ♪ Mickela: What's so powerful about this is the women.

And, uh... It's... Yeah, it's so powerful.

Women: [Speaking Maori] Audience: [Cheering] Cecil: For me, it's the same, you know?

When I look at that, I see my mum, my sisters, my aunties.

Mickela: Seeing these other women just being so fierce, and so powerful, and so strong, and as leaders.

Cecil: Yeah.

Mickela: I want to be them.

I want to be those women.

And that's exactly where I was headed.

The Eden Park, the most famous rugby pitch in the world.

This is unreal.

We're walking on Eden Park turf where the All Blacks play.

Cecil: Yes.

All Blacks right here.

Mickela: Right here to do haka.

Tarumai brings me to meet Te Wehi Haka, an incredible Kapa Haka, or haka performance group.

Performers: [Singing in Maori] Mickela: Te Wehi Haka perform the haka, poi dances and waiata a ringa, or action songs like this one, as part of their repertoire.

Performers: [Singing in Maori] Mickela: Action songs are a combination of synchronized singing and movements that articulate the lyrics.

Performers: [Singing in Maori] ♪ Both: [Cheering] Tarumai: Ka pai.

Mickela: Ka pai.

Tarumai: It's your turn now.

Mickela: My turn?

All right, no pressure.

We're jumping right into it.

OK.

Straight in, no practice.

Performers: [Singing in Maori] Mickela: This is with me forever now.

Like, I feel... I can't stop that energy that's coming out.

Tarumai: It's overwhelming.

Mickela: Yeah, it is.

Tarumai: Just want to acknowledge Te Wehi Haka and acknowledge this, your "kaupapa," what you bring, because their kaupapa is taking haka to the world.

Mickela: Yeah.

Tarumai: So, thank you.

You know, emotional.

Mickela: Kia ora.

Thank you.

Performers: [Singing in Maori] Mickela: Oh my God!

That was amazing.

[Laughs] Tarumai: So Mickela now, our "whanau" is going to perform to you the haka I taught you this morning.

Mickela: This morning.

Tarumai: This morning.

So we get to see it in action.

Performers: [Singing in Maori] ♪ ♪ ♪ Mickela: Toia mai.

It's a different... It's a... It's a power... powerful, powerful, powerful thing.

Tarumai: We used to do this with 40 plus.

Mickela: You just filled this whole stadium with energy.

This entire stadium is full.

Tarumai: Very spiritual.

Mickela: Can I try with you?

Tarumai: Yes.

Tarumai: I don't know if I'll be able to match that energy, but I'm going to try, If that's all right.

Tarumai: Just give it your best.

Mickela: [Laughs] I will.

Tarumai: We only ask for your best.

Mickela: OK.

All: [Singing in Maori] ♪ ♪ ♪ Mickela: [Sniffles] Kia ora.

"He tangata, he tangata, he tangata."

A Maori proverb meaning, "It is the people, "it is the people, it is the people."

It refers to the most important thing of all in the world.

Through language, songs, stories and strength, I feel so connected to everyone here in Tamaki Makaurau, Aotearoa.

Here in Auckland, New Zealand.

And this is just the start.

Stay tuned as I continue my journey here in Aotearoa to celebrate the Maori New Year of Matariki.

♪ Announcer: You can stay connected with us at travelbarefeet.com, where you'll find extra bonus videos, join our "Bare Feet" series conversations through social media, and stay updated with our newsletter.

Man: [Speaking Maori] Mickela: [Laughs] I'm trying, I'm really trying.

I'm really trying.

Tarumai: Yes.

Mickela: Is that better?

Oh, jeez, that's a hard one.

Cecil: Get a little bit closer.

Mickela: I'm used to American football.

Cecil: I know, I know.

♪ ♪ Mickela: "Bare Feet" is supported in part by... Announcer: Bloomberg Connects gives you a way to experience the arts from your mobile phone.

You can explore hundreds of cultural organizations from around the world, anytime, anywhere.

Learn more at bloombergconnects.org or wherever you find your apps.

Announcer: Additional funding was provided by Koo and Patricia Yuen through the Yuen Foundation, committed to bridging cultural differences in our communities.

Announcer: And by the Ann H. Symington Foundation.

Child: [Babbles]