Dolina Wehipeihana. Photo: Ralph Brown
Cambridge-born dancer Dolina Wehipeihana has been honoured with a Te Waka Toi Award “making a difference” (Ngā Tohu Hautūtanga Auaha Toi) for her contributions to the arts.
The former St Peter’s Catholic School student (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Tukorehe) is a dancer, choreographer and theatre producer.
She performed at the opening of the Gallagher Performing Arts Centre at Waikato University in March 2001 and was a founding member of Atamira Dance Company.
Dolina Wehipeihana
Wehipeihana, 45, is the general manager of Kia Mau Festival and a member of the National Māori Theatre steering committee He Waka Ūrungi. She was on the steering committee of the National Māori Dance Summit and is a board member of the Performing Arts Network of New Zealand.
Her choreographic work includes The Beautiful Ones written by Hone Kouka, and the Poi E Thriller-style dance in the 2010 film Boy.
Wehipeihana founded an independent production company, Betsy and Mana Productions, and through this company produces theatre and dance.
She and husband Jarod Rawiri, an actor and director known for Brokenwood Mysteries, Boy, Shortland Street and Harry; also a member of White Face Crew, live in Auckland and have four children.
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