Ellen-Moana Smith

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Ko Ellen-Moana Smith toku ingoa,

No Tamaki Makaurau ahau. I whakapapa to Ngati Porou, Ngati Pukenga & Nga Rauru through both my parents and acknowledge my taha pakeha with connections to England, Ireland, Scotland, and America.
My creative realm mainly sits in performance art as a vocalist, dancer, actor and writer, but I am also a painter and a tutu fingers often turning natures gifts into art pieces for fun.

 

By trade I am a Barista with 20 years in the Hospitality game and recently I left the industry to pursue my passions and reconnect with Te Ao Maori. Currently I am working as a vocalist with Fathe & The Sweetos and working on creating my own sound as a song writer.

 

I’m also studying Tikanga at Te Wananga O Aotearoa bringing my skills, knowledge and hereditary gifts all into one kite (basket). I was stoked when Liam asked me to be apart of the Auckland Art Battle team and Creative collective. I’m very excited to be hosting the upcoming season of Art Battle Auckland after having such a blast volunteering at the Grand Final, check out the YouTube channel for some of the interviews I did with the artists involved.

 

I am grateful to be a part of a collective which inspires art and human connection and I am looking forward to see how we will contribute to the community in making art, culture and creative expression more accessible in Tamaki Makaurau.