For Manaia Jade Hingangaoroa Toroa-Garrett, music has always been more than a passion — it has been part of his whānau, his whakapapa, his upbringing and his connection to home.
Manaia proudly whakapapas to Te Aitanga a Hauiti, Ngāti Konohi, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Hau, Ngāi Tamanuhiri and Te Whakatōhea. Raised in Ūawa/Tolaga Bay, his connection towhānau and whenua has remained an important part of his identity and continues to influence him as a musician.
Growing up surrounded by music and musicians within his whānau, Manaia’s passion eventually led him from Ūawa to Wellington, where he pursued a Bachelor of Commercial Music, majoring in Music Practice, at Massey University Wellington.
Music has always been a bigpart of my life. Growing up surrounded by music and musicians within my whānau, it felt natural for me to want to take that passion further.
Choosing to study in Wellington gave Manaia the opportunity to develop his skills, learn more about the music industry and challenge himself creatively. Coming from the East Coast, he also wanted to step outside what was familiar and experience a different perspective on music. Studying in Wellington exposed him to a bigger and more diverse music environment while helping him develophis own identity and sound as a musician.
Moving from Ūawa to Wellington was a significant change for Manaia, After spending his whole lifesurrounded by familiar faces and whānau, he found himself navigating life in amuch bigger city while also beginning tertiary study.
Being away from home and hiswhānau was challenging at times, but the experience also pushed Manaia outsidehis comfort zone and encouraged him to become more independent.
Being away from everything I knew pushed me outside of my comfort zone. It helped me grow as a person, become more independent and learn how to find my own way while still staying connected to where I come from.
While Wellington introduced Manaia to new styles, people and ways of creating music, the foundations of his musical journey remain firmly rooted in his whānau, whakapapa and upbringing in Ūawa.
His grandfather, Bill Toroa, and father, Cory Garrett, are both musicians and have played an important role in shaping his passion for music. Manaia remembers his grandfather in particular as a great mentor who spent time teaching him guitar, sharing his knowledge and helping him develop his skills.
That opportunity to learn directly from his grandfather strengthened not only his abilities as a guitarist, but also his love and appreciation for music, His father has also been astrong musical influence throughout his life.
Growing up with both hisgrandfather and father to learn from meant musical knowledge and passion were naturally passed down through his whānau. Even after moving away to studyand being exposed to different styles, people and ways of creating music, Manaia says his whakapapa, whānau and where he comes from continue to be part of who he is as a musician.
Throughout his three years of study towards his Bachelor of Commercial Music, Majoring in Music Practice, Manaia received support through the Toitū Ngāti Porou Education Grant.
For a student living away from home, that financial assistance helped make his studies more manageable and eased some of the pressure, allowing him to focus on completing his degree and developing his music.
Receiving the Toitū Ngāti Porou Education Grant meant a lot to me. It gave me financial support when I needed it and helped make my three years of study more manageable.
For Manaia, the supportrepresented more than financial assistance. It was also meaningful knowing thatsupport was available from Ngāti Porou to help rangatahi pursue tertiaryeducation and their chosen pathways.
After three years of study,Manaia reached a milestone he is especially proud of — graduating with a Bachelorof Commercial Music, majoring in Music Practice.
Looking back, he is proud of staying committed throughout the challenges that came with moving away from home, adapting to a completely different environment and completing his degree.
Graduating with his whānau theret o celebrate alongside him made the achievement even more meaningful.
They had been behind me fromthe beginning, so having them there to see me graduate made the achievementmean even more.
Graduation marks the completion of an important chapter for Manaia, but it is also the beginning of what comes next.
He plans to continue creating and releasing music, performing and developing his skills within the industry as he continues to grow, learn and discover where he wants to take his music.
For other Ngāti Porou rangatahi considering tertiary study or pursuing a creative pathway, Manaia encourages them to stay true to who they are and what they believe in, take the opportunities that come their way and never be afraid to ask for help.
Coming from a small placedoesn't have to limit where you can go or what you can achieve. You can step outside of home, experience something completely different and still carry where you come from with you.
