Matua Rereata Makiha (Ngāti Whakaheke, Te Aupōuri, Te Arawa) was born and raised in the Hokianga, where he attended Northland College. He studied Social Sciences at Victoria University Wellington and Māori Business at the University of Auckland, where he was awarded the Dean’s Prize.

Rereata is a renowned Māoriastrologer and a leading authority on the Maramataka (Māori lunar calendar). Heis currently curating pathways to practice ancient traditions within Te AoMāori.

Rereata shares his extensiveknowledge as a cultural adviser, having held roles at the Auckland Council as akaiārahi tikanga Māori and Kaumātua at the University of Auckland BusinessSchool.

Rereata is a former broadcaster withmore than four decades experience as a reporter, news editor, director andtelevision presenter. He has held senior positions at TVNZ, including the TeKarere and Marae programmes, and Māori Television.