And that's what he's doing, in a raft of different ways. He's currently engaged in a master's degree, followed by a PhD – the drive of his study being "to protect New Zealand's culinary culture and make it available to all New Zealanders". He's also working with marae (traditional Māori meeting places) to educate and reconnect these tribal groups with their traditional cuisine. He currently holds the Māori Ambassador role for the New Zealand Chefs Association and gives cooking demonstrations for those who wish to learn, such as the national food writers association (Food Writers NZ) and other interested groups. He also recently cooked traditional hangis with modern flavour twists for Matariki (Maori New Year) at a number of public events all over the country.
