Ingoa: Hirini Katene
Iwi: Ngāti Pikiao + Ngāti Rongomai + Ngāti Te Rangiunuora + Te Pā Tū + Ngāti Kahu
Fave snacks: Kinas. Preferrably fresh ;) and Hazella Whittaker’s chocolate.
Fave inu: Green Musashi, Grey Goose, Mocha with oat milk.
Fun Fact: I can recite this part of the PokéRap: Gotta catch ‘em all. Gotta catch ‘em all. Charmeleon, Wartortle, Mewtwo, Tentacruel, Aerodactyl, Omanyte, Slowpoke, Pidgeot, Arbok. That's all, folks!
Heeds is an acclaimed ringatā from Te Arawa and Ngāpuhi having paved ways in the moko space for almost 20 years. Raised in South Auckland and eventually taken under the wing of Gordon Toi, Hirini has continued to push the boundaries of moko, creating bespoke and deeply personal pieces that speak to each and every kaiwhiwhi that graces his tēpu.
Having established The Native Studios and co-founded Ngā Manu a Toi, it’s no wonder he is highly revered locally and internationally.