Dallas Reti-Taukiri - Musican
Dallas Reti-Taukiri has been living in Hamilton since 1994. Having grown up in Paeroa, and with a large part of his family based in Hamilton, this city is a central area for him. The work-life balance this gives him is valuable.
He deeply values whakapapa, or lineage, in his life. “There’s my Māori whakapapa, but also my human whakapapa. I understand who I am as a Māori, but I also understand that we are all human. It ties me to the land that I stand on and the earth that I stand on.”
Dallas goes on to mention a big urge he saw and felt around him to reclaim Māori language and values when he was younger. “Nowadays it's more popular, we have avenues like Māori TV and radio stations everywhere. There are Māori steps we can take towards success now.”
One piece of advice he mentions hearing often is ‘you can do whatever you put your mind to.’ He adds to this, saying, “believe what you put your mind to. It’s easy to have a dream, but it’s also easy to doubt or be deterred from it. My advice would be to believe in what you understand or what you know. It’s good to take in other opinions, but don’t let them alter or change your direction for reasons they don't always understand.”
Dallas has the goal to make the best Māori music that he possibly can.
Quotes:
“It’s easy to have a dream, but it’s also easy to doubt or be deterred from it.”
“My advice would be to believe in what you understand or what you know. It’s good to take in other opinions, but don’t let them alter or change your direction for reasons they don't always understand.”
Written by Kae Evans. Kae is a year 3 Bachelor of Communication student at Wintec-Te Pūkenga, majoring in Creative Media. Kae’s study is focused on creative expression through photography and storytelling.