Amiria Tutari Salzmann was raised in the heart of Takapūwāhia, surrounded by her whānau of Ngāti Toa Rangatira. She had the best nannies, her Nanny Tutari and Nanny Kahu who shared their love and wisdom with her. She also spent a lot of time in Ōtaki with her Aunty Willis, Uncle Huia and their whānau, especially with cousins Hinekura and Kawaiwhakaheke. The principles of Whakatupuranga Rua Mano were quietly impressed upon her while growing up. She is a marae person, her work, studies, interests and whānau life reflect how she values te reo Māori, education, whānau, whakapapa and being able to determine her pathway.  

Amiria and her partner Andy Hanara are the proud parents of three gorgeous tamariki: Kahuwaero (8), Nukuroa (6), and the energetic little Waikauri o Hiwa i te Rangi (2). Kahuwaero and Nukuroa attend Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rito in Ōtaki, while Waikauri keeps things lively at Te Puna Reo o Ngāti Toa. Andy, who is Ngāti Kahungunu and Kūki Airani, is juggling life as a dad, his mahi at Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira, and a master’s degree at UCOL- multitasking!   

Amiria’s own māmā, Kayleen Katene, plays a massive role too—she’s the morning kura chauffeur. She is also continuing her own learning journey, studying te reo Māori and assisting with the development of online reo programmes and resources at Te Wānanga o Raukawa and loving it.   

Her educational journey took her through Te Kura Māori o Porirua, Wellington High, and Wellington East Girls’ College. Currently, Amiria is in her second and final year of the Tāhuhu Te Reo Māori programme, studying part-time while working full-time at Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira as Mata Tātaki – Principal Advisor for Te Ohu Reo. Before this role, she was leading the way as Manager at Te Puna Reo o Ngāti Toa while completing her Poutuarongo Whakaakoranga Kōhungahunga and Poutāhū Whakaakoranga studies. When the opportunity came to reshape the reo strategy at TRoTR, she pivoted her studies toward te reo Māori and hasn’t looked back. From Poutāhū Te Reo Māori to her current Tāhuhu programme, Amiria’s learning has always mirrored her mahi.   

Fun fact: back in Amiria’s kura days at Te Kura Māori o Porirua, she also completed a Diploma in Māori Art and Design – creativity runs in her veins!   

What drew Amiria to Te Wānanga o Raukawa? It was a mix of whakapapa, convenience, and the incredible line-up of kaiako. She loves how the tohu are uniquely structured: iwi and hapū studies, te reo, and your chosen specialty – a combo you won’t find anywhere else. Growing up in Takapūwāhia meant she had access to a lot of iwi knowledge, but she reckons without the formal study, she may not have dived so deeply into that kaupapa.   

Amiria’s advice to Te Wānanga o Raukawa? Keep doing what you’re doing! The structure, the feedback surveys, the quality of teaching – it all counts. Although, if she could add one thing, it would be a doctorate programme.   

Once she wraps up her Tāhuhu Te Reo Māori, Amiria’s eyeing up the Tāhuhu Whakahaere – the journey continues!   

A keen supporter of Toa Waka Ama, Amiria is a paddler and on the committee. Her two older tamariki also paddle for Toa Waka Ama and competed at the waka ama nationals earlier this year.  Her partner Andy paddles for Toa Waka Ama as well. 

Oh, and did we mention Amiria is also an artist? Her side hustle, Ōhākī, started with Amiria and her dad. While she was on maternity leave with Nukuroa and hōhā about being broke, and her dad was fighting cancer and couldn’t do much and was bored and hōhā about that, she asked him to teach her how to use his laser machine. They started making earrings and some little home decor items. Later Amiria and her sister-in-law Karra Hanara started selling and made their little business. They sell mainly to whānau and at Pātaka Art and Museum. Occasionally they also create custom pieces on request. Creative and talented!   

 So, to recap: Amiria is a full-time employee, a part-time student, a full-time māmā of three, a loving partner, a passionate reo advocate, a waka ama supporter and a creative entrepreneur. She has a lot going on – and is making it work. Ka rawe, Amiria!   

Mā mahi ka ora! 

If you would like to know about the programmes offered by Te Wānanga o Raukawa, go to: Our Courses